Given the spike in global COVID-19 cases in China, United Kingdom, United States of America, others, the Federal Government has urged Nigerians, especially the elderly and those with co-morbidities, to get vaccinated and take their booster doses.
It stated that although the sub-lineages partly responsible for the current increase in COVID-19 cases in other countries – XBB.1.5 and BF.7 – have not yet been detected in the country as of November 2022, it was working to complete testing and analysis for December 2022 to ascertain the situation.
It also encouraged Nigerians to continue to adhere to the recommended non-pharmaceutical Intervention (NPIs) such as the use of face masks, good hand and respiratory hygiene, and avoidance of crowded spaces.
The government said as of January 8, 2023, a total of 76,161,470 eligible persons have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, representing 65.7 per cent of the eligible population, while 64,094,498 persons have been fully vaccinated, representing 55.3 per cent of eligible population.
Furthermore, only 9,892,018 have received their booster doses.
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Speaking during a briefing by the Federal Ministry of Health on Monday, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, said: “The variants circulating in China are predominantly BA 5.2 and Bf.7 which make up 90 per cent of all isolates. These variants have been circulating in other parts of the world including Nigeria (156) since 2022.
“In Nigeria, we have had 5,708,974 samples tested, 266,463 confirmed cases, 259,850 discharged cases and unfortunately 3,155 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The NCDC-led COVID-19 EOC is closely monitoring the rise in the new Omicron sublineages XBB.1.5 in the UK and US, the current resurgence of COVID-19 trends in China, and other countries with a high volume of traffic to and from Nigeria.”
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, in his presentation, explained that this year, the country has seen an increase in the number of eligible population from 111,773,503 to 115,983,921, as a result of an increase in the number of persons who turned 18 years.
He said: “We are continuously working with all stakeholders at National, State and Local Government to increase awareness, social mobilization and increase coverage. As at January 7, 2023, Nigeria has a vaccine stock balance of 28,968,045 doses. More vaccines are still expected over the coming weeks.
“We, therefore, encourage all Nigerians to visit the nearest government facility to ensure they are up to date with either their first, second or booster doses. The covid-19 vaccines are available, they are free and they are safe.”