FG Commences Distribution of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine to States

The Nigerian government on Monday said it has started distributing the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to various states across the country.

The Executive Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, made this known at the weekly briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

He said adequate provision had been made to deploy the vaccines to all states and vaccination sites where people would be vaccinated according to set priorities, beginning with the health workers and other support staff.

“All things being equal, the delivery of the vaccines will be completed tomorrow,” Mr. Shuaib said.

He explained that the delivery of the vaccines to the states is predicated on satisfactorily meeting the conditions to keep them safe and potent.

“We are designating Vaccine Accountability Officers in the states and LGAs to closely monitor the management and utilisation of the vaccines.”

He said the state launch of the COVID-19 vaccination for health workers is slated for March 9 at the state treatment centres, barring any prevailing local conditions.

“Most governors have agreed to flag off on March 10 while the statewide rollout of COVID-19 vaccine will commence from the 12 of March,” he said.