The Federal Government yesterday received over 3 million doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines from Italy.
The donation by the Government of Italy brings the total number of vaccine doses to Nigeria by the European Union (EU) member-states, through the COVAX facility, to 20 million.
Speaking during the official handover of the J&J vaccines to the Federal Government in Abuja, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, assured Nigerians that there were enough vaccines to cater for the country.
Shuaib urged all persons aged 18 years and above, including expectant mothers and breastfeeding mothers, to take advantage of the availability of the vaccines to get vaccinated.
The agency chief recalled that as of April 11, the country had fully vaccinated 13,588,718 persons, which is approximately 12.2 per cent of our total eligible population. Also, 23,012,700 Nigerians have received their first dose, which represents 18 per cent of the total eligible population.
He said: “You would recall that in February, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and NPHCDA, formally rolled out the administration of J&J vaccine across the country. I must say that this has rapidly improved our coverage.
“Let me assure you that these vaccines, like all other vaccines we have in-country, will be judiciously utilised, as we have instituted accountability in the COVID-19 vaccination programme to ensure efficient use of all available resources.”
Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, said: “Italy remains committed, along with other European Union members, to support Nigeria’s vaccine needs, with the aim to help to expand global vaccine coverage. Providing single-shot vaccines reduces logistical challenges and ensures a faster treatment of Nigeria’s government vaccination goals.”
Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Walter Mulombo, added: “Vaccination is still our best defence against COVID-19, and we continue to see mass vaccination campaigns produce results. The Johnson and Johnson vaccines has come at the right time after the re-launching of the optimised SCALES strategy on February 22, 2022 with theme: One Shot COVID-19 Vaccine for Everyone.”
The Head of Delegation of the EU to Nigeria, Ambassador Samuela Isopi, said: “By acting together, guided by the principles of solidarity and multilateralism, we can collectively overcome COVID-19.”