The Federal Government says it has received from US Government a donation of 3,577,860 doses of Pfizer vaccine through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access known as COVAX for the benefit of Nigerians.
COVAX is the worldwide initiative aimed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire disclosed this on Monday at a Press briefing while giving an update of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Health Sector Development in Abuja.
Dr. Ehanire said as at Monday the Federal government has received over 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines adding that based on delivery forecasts from the COVAX facility and the African Union, Nigeria will have adequate vaccines to cover more than 50% of eligible populations by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
The Minister reiterated the government’s stands that from December 1st 2021, all of its employees shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices in all locations within Nigeria and missions.
According to him, proactive measures are being taken by the Federal Government to curb the spread of the Covid 19 virus and reduce the impact on the health systems.
He said following this directive, the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency will enhance security features of COVID-19 vaccination card to reduce forgery.
He said they will also establish vaccination sites at public places with high human traffic across the country such as universities, polytechnics, shopping malls, religious centres, sporting events, conference centres, and markets.
He said they will accredit some private health care facilities as COVID-19 vaccination sites noting that these measures is to enhance access to COVID-19 vaccine.
The Minister re-echoed that COVID-19 vaccines and cards are free off charge irrespective of the location of the vaccination sites both at public and private Health facilities.
He further said COVID-19 is a pandemic, and that the Government is concerned about the safety of everyone and does not want to risk escalation of the infection that will threaten public health.
He urge all Nigerians to continue to take proactive steps to remain free from the infection and protect others from the infection.
He re-emphasize that, the Federal Ministry of Health will continue to minimise the risks during travel by ensuring compliance with existing multinational treaties, international frameworks, guidelines and recommendations, including travel entry and exit requirements to increase mutual recognition and cross-border information exchange for enhanced surveillance at our point of entry.
