COVID-19: ‘96% of the targeted population have been vaccinated’ – Federal Government

The federal government says a total of 1,929,237 Nigerians representing 96 percent of the targeted population have received the first COVID-19 vaccine doses.

The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said this Tuesday, at a press conference held in Abuja, to update Nigerians on the status of COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

“We have now provided first COVID-19 vaccine doses to a total number of 1,929,237 Nigerians, representing 96% of the targeted population. In addition, we have begun providing second doses, and that number has reached 4,683. The Federal Government is taking significant precautions to protect Nigerians against B.1.617.2, known as the Indian variant,” he said.

“Flights from India and other high-risk countries such as Turkey and Brazil have been barred from entering Nigeria, we are ramping up our test and trace measures, and we are accelerating the national project to establish production of oxygen supplies across all states of Nigeria.”

“We are advising that all Nigerians who have received their first dose should check their vaccination cards for the date of their second dose, and ensure that they receive the second dose to gain full protection against COVID-19,” the NPHCDA’s boss advised.

Shuaib said the government’s “teams have assessed the communication and mobilization activities that have been undertaken thus far to create awareness for the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage uptake.” “We will be building on the work we’ve already done in these areas to ensure that Nigerians can easily access accurate information about COVID-19 vaccination.

Our goal is to do everything possible to educate, combat misinformation, and ensure confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and to ensure all Nigerians have clear information on how, where, and when to get the vaccine. We will do this through continuous engagement and communication with communities across our country,” added.