COVID-19: Lagos state has started conversations with Pfizer for vaccines – Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that his administration does not need to vaccinate over 20 million residents of the state against COVID-19; thereby depending on herd immunity to take it’s course.

The Governor said this during an interview with Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, adding that the state government is engaging some companies in the production of COVID-19 vaccines for residents of the state.

“It is important for me to make this. We don’t have to vaccinate the 20 or 22 million population that we have. The plan is to ensure that there is herd immunity and that typically speaks about 50 to 60 percent of your population, that is the kind of target that you really meet,” he said.

“We have started a conversation with some of the vaccine manufacturers. Pfizer for example, I have made contact with them, Johnson and Johnson are not out yet, the Moderna has written to us and we have written back to them.”

Sanwo-Olu also said his administration is engaging with the private sector on funding the vaccine. According to him, although the state government has earmarked billions in fighting the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted the amount wouldn’t be enough.

“The conversations are still at various levels. We are speaking with the organised private sector so they can help us raise some of the finance that is required.

“We have our friends in the private sector who are saying to us that they understand this is a public health issue but we also can work with you. The citizens are your citizens but they also are our staff,” he added.