Over 2 Million Nigerians Have Self-registered for COVID-19 Vaccine on The NPHCDA Online Portal

On Wednesday, Nigeria’s primary healthcare agency boss, Faisal Shuaib, said that over 2 million Nigerians have registered to receive the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

He said, “In less than 24 hours, 2.3 million Nigerians have registered to take the vaccines and the numbers keep increasing,”

According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) tweet on Monday, a healthcare worker, Osindeinde Ademilayo Abodede, was the first person to register for the vaccine. Her appointment has been scheduled for March 12 in Abuja.

The self-registration online portal was launched a day before the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in the country.

The agency said Healthcare workers will be given priority in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

NPHCDA also stated that high priority will be given to “frontline workers” such as members of the military, police, Nigerians who are working at border posts, oil and gas workers, and “strategic leaders.”

Faisal Shuaib said, “As the vaccines arrive in batches due to limited supply we will inform Nigerians about who and where to receive the vaccine,”

“States without a functional airport will have their vaccines transported by road using vans with fitted cold cabins, from the nearest airport,” he added.

Boss Mustapha, Nigeria’s secretary-general urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, and the media to spread the message that vaccinations were needed. “This is a fight for everyone.” He said.