Following the news that Nigeria has destroyed more than one million expired doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca, the United States of America government has pledged to donate an extra 18 million doses of the vaccine to Nigeria.
The expired doses were destroyed at a landfill in Abuja, a week after the country’s government stated that it would no longer accept vaccines which have a short span on the shelf. This is because the destroyed doses were received at a stage when they were approaching expiration, which meant that the vaccines would expire before they could be distributed to people.
The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard stated this in a valedictory message which she addressed to Nigeria. She stated that as the world prepares to transition into 2022, the United States appreciates the friendships and partnerships, as well as the progress which has been accomplished towards the joint goals of the United States and Nigeria.
Leonard mentioned the existence of a new variant of the COVID-19 virus, which halted the world’s recovery from the virus which took centre stage in March 2020. She lauded health efforts across the globe, stating that they have advanced vaccine development and distribution.
She stated that the United States Mission has been working hard alongside Nigerians to monitor and respond to the events of the pandemic. The support is reflected in the $130 million which has been contributed by the mission towards the COVID health response efforts.
She also said that the United States promised 36 million doses of the vaccine, with 18 million of the pldged amount being delivered so far. The other half (18 million doses) will be sent to Nigeria in the new year, according to Leonard.
She recognised that Nigerians seek a safer environment for living, and that the United States had launched plans for addressing it.
