Covid-19 Vaccine
FG sets up joint task force on vaccine racketeering
Federal Government says it has set up a joint Task Force on vaccine racketeering to curb misses.
Director Planning Research and Statistics, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Abdullahi Bulama Garba, made the disclosure at the biweekly COVID-19 update in Abuja.
He said that so far, over four million Nigerians have been vaccinated, adding that the NPHCDA has expanded vaccination to every ward in Nigeria.
“We have expanded vaccination to all Primary and Tertiary health care cents. The private health facilities are being engaged”. Dr Garba said.
He noted that vaccines availability is not the issue in Nigeria.
“Vaccines are available. Please go to any center and collect the vaccine,“ he appealed, even as he noted that the vaccines are free no matter where it is given but that owners of private facilities may apply charges for utilities.
On his part, the Director Health Emergency Preparedness and Response of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, Dr John Oladejo, said that COVID-19 cases increased in Nigeria by 4.3% in week 40 while test positivity was pegged at 3.5% in week 40.
The director also noted that Lagos, Rivers and Edo are some of the states contributing to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.
“In the last seven days Abia, Anambra, Cross, River and Edo recorded a high number of cases, adding that the international travel protocol has been reversed to remove some countries.
While answering questions from journalists at the briefing, the Nigerian minister of health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire says Nigeria has learnt a lot along the way in dealing with the COVID-19 virus.
He noted that the Nigerian vaccine policy is set in such a way that Nigeria begins to manufacture its vaccine through direct or contracted man power.
He said that there is a two billion dollars arrangement for vaccine provision on ground that will cover Nigeria for the next seven years.
The minister also called on Nigerians to continue to protect themselves and others by wearing their mask correctly.
