The Federal Government has stated that over 41.9 million Nigerians have been reached with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while over 29.6 million are fully vaccinated.
It, however, urged states to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination, as only about 38 percent of eligible Nigerians have been reached, which is a far cry from the vaccination target of 70 percent in order to attain herd immunity by the end of the year
In related events, Nasarawa and Ebonyi have received the Federal Government’s Award as the best performing states in COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization respectively.
Furthermore, Kano and Yobe States bagged the awards of most improved performance in COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization respectively.
In terms of COVID-19 vaccination in the North Central, North East, North West, South East, South-South, and South West zones; Nasarawa (100 percent), Gombe (30 percent), Jigawa (97 percent), Abia (14 percent), Cross River (13 percent) and Ogun (28 per cent) are the best performing States respectively.
Read Also: COVID-19 killed 15,000 in one week, says WHO
In terms of routine immunization performance in the North Central, North East, North West, South East, South-South, and South West zones; Benue (63 percent), Adamawa (63 percent), Kaduna (59 percent), Ebonyi (90 percent), Edo and Lagos are the best performing States.
Speaking during the award presentation to commemorate this year’s African Vaccination Week, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, added: “We pride in the progress we have made as a country in reaching 41,993,566 eligible persons with COVID-19 vaccines as of today 26th August 2022. About 29,653,312 of these persons are fully vaccinated, while others are either waiting for their due date for the second dose or are on the list of those who are hesitant of taking the second dose. Of course, the struggle continues, and it is a matter of sworn trust that we protect the health of our people.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said: “With the integration of other PHC services with the COVID-19 vaccination, it is clear that our task is not limited to eradicating COVID-19 alone but other vaccine-preventable diseases as well. In line with the integration strategy, parents who go for COVID-19 vaccination are encouraged to go along with their children and have them vaccinated against childhood diseases like yellow fever, polio, pneumonia, measles, Tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Hib, and Meningitis.”
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said: “Our traditional and religious leaders, who are our community gatekeepers, were not left out in the struggle. They invested their energy and time in mobilizing the communities for the uptake of vaccines. Our health workers, some of whom we have lost along the way (may the souls of the departed rest in peace), were relentless and moved around the communities, from house to house to ensure that every eligible child receives vaccines and is protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.”