The Federal Government Monday flagged off the Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccination with a warning that it should not be hoarded as the nation battles a resurgence of the virus.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, performed the ceremony at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
He explained that Monday’s launch is a phase in the government’s Four-Phased Strategic Vaccine Roll-Out Plan.
Mustapha commended Nigerians, especially those who have received their full two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine during the first phase which closed in July.
He said: “As you are aware, the third wave with the Delta variant of the virus is here with us. This has resulted in the upsurge of COVID-19 cases in the last few weeks.
“The arrival of the 4,000,080 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Government of the United States and the 177,600 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines out of the 29,850,000 doses the Federal Government has purchased through the Africa-Import-Export Bank and the African Union, is highly encouraging and motivating for us at the PSC.”
The SGF assured that the federal government is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have unfettered access to COVID-19 vaccines as the country will continue to invest in and access safe and effective vaccines.
“It is now the responsibility of every citizen to register and get vaccinated so that we can achieve our desired herd immunity of vaccinating at least 70 per cent of our eligible population,” Mustapha added.
Mustapha assured that the PSC will continue to monitor the increasing trend of COVID-19 cases in several countries with a special focus on those with high incidence rates and widespread prevalence of variants of concern.
He said that government deeply empathizes with families who have lost loved ones to the virus and assuring them that government will continue to do everything possible to minimize the surge of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.
However, he admonished citizens to minimize all non-essential international travels by land, air, or sea, at this time, especially to countries that are showing a rising number of cases and deaths from COVID-19.
The PSC boss further remarked: “Consequently, restrictions are placed on travellers from Brazil, India, South Africa and Turkey into Nigeria in line with our travel guidelines. Individuals, transporters, and airlines who flout the guidelines shall be sanctioned.
“State governments are required to ensure all returning travellers from all countries adhere to the mandatory seven-day self-isolation period and the repeat of COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day after arrival. Violators will also be sanctioned accordingly.
“We all have a responsibility to safeguard the health of our people by ensuring that all eligible persons in our homes and communities get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccines while the government will continue to ensure the sustained availability of the vaccines.”
Mustapha advised citizens to demand vaccines and get vaccinated, reiterating that they are safe and efficacious.
“And it is our only hope out of this pandemic for now,” he said, commending the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and other partners for the various initiatives they have introduced to address vaccine hesitancy, which he noted, was one of the greatest challenges encountered during the first phase.
He called on all stakeholders to mobilize their community members, aged 18 years and above, and especially the elderly to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to stop the transmission of the virus.
“It is imperative that even after vaccination, you will continue to observe the non-pharmaceutical measures, wear your face mask, wash your hands frequently, maintain physical distancing until we have vaccinated enough eligible Nigerians to achieve herd immunity,” Mustapha added.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
FACT CHECK: MTN Nigeria Not Celebrating 20th Anniversary With N20,000 Cash, 5GB Data
CLAIM: A viral Whatsapp message claims that mobile telecommunications company, MTN, is giving out N20,000 cash, 5GB worth of data, and cars to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Nigeria.COVID-19: FG flags off phase 2 national vaccination
COVID-19: FG flags off phase 2 national vaccination
and then