The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, had disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are expected to receive first COVID-19 vaccine doses on Saturday.
Recall that on Tuesday Nigeria had taken the delivery of 3.9 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, the first batch of the 16 million expected through the World Health Organisation-led COVAX facility.
Speaking in a short ceremony to mark the arrival of the vaccine, Mr Shuaib, who is also a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, said the first vaccination site would be set up at the National Hospital, Abuja.
According to him, frontline health workers and support staff will also be the first set of people to receive the drug, followed by key strategic leaders.
He said: “On Monday, more vaccination sites would have been set up at designated locations such as National Assembly clinic, State House clinic and Federal medical centre, Jabi, where leaders such as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Attorney General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, the Ministers and Ministers of States, Senators, House of Representatives, traditional leaders and religious leaders will be vaccinated.
“Vaccine distribution to the States for the first phase vaccination process will begin.
“Working with CACOVID, plans are on ground for a cargo plane provided by them to transport the vaccines to the States by air.
“States without a functional airport will have their vaccines transported by road using vans with fitted Cold Cabins, from the nearest airport.
“The vaccines will be stored at the State Cold Stores, from where they will be transported by road to local government council Cold Stores
“Once activities have commenced in the States, there would be strict monitoring by PTF, FMOH, NPHCDA and independent bodies such as EFCC, DSS, ICPC, and Civil Society Organisations.
“States/health facilities/health workers that are identified as defaulting from the standard protocol and guidelines for this phase of vaccination would be sanctioned.
“While the first phase is ongoing, the National team would be ready for the arrival of the next batch of vaccines which would be used for the next phase of vaccination. Phase 2 vaccination process involves vaccination of the elderly from 50 years and above.
“This has been sub grouped into 2, with the vaccination of 60 and above occurring first followed by 50 – 59 years.
“This will occur across all 36 States and the FCT. Those who are eligible for vaccination that have not registered electronically, would be assisted at the designated health facility and would be vaccinated,” Mr Shuaib added.
