The National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force, PTF, on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, has said that the Federal Government will administer the COVID-19 vaccine to Nigerians free of charge.
Mr Aliyu, who spoke on a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily, said the government has an adequate plan on delivering and administering the vaccine.
He said: “Yesterday, the President gave the PTF the mandate to proceed with preparations with regard to the vaccine.
“The President has also given us a marching order that the COVID-19 vaccine is made available in Nigeria.
“The COVID-19 vaccine will be available in Nigeria making use of the GAVI arrangement.
“We already have the assurance that we will have 20 percent of our population accommodated by GAVI, which is about 40 million Nigerians. They won’t need to pay for that (the vaccine).”
Mr Aliyu added that efforts were being made to sensitise many and deliver the vaccines across the country.
“We have continued to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
“The NPHCDA has a lot of experience in delivering vaccines across the country.
“They were involved with the polio vaccination and even at the moment, they are responsible for the delivery of the growth in child vaccination across the country, so they have a lot of experience.
“A lot of work is going on behind the scene. The NPHCDA has a committee, the Minister has set up an advisory committee and the PTF is now coming in to make sure we coordinate effectively.
“The biggest challenge we will have with the vaccine is not going to be the logistics, the biggest challenge will be the public acceptance of the safety of the vaccines and allowing themselves to be vaccinated, the challenge will be very similar to the one we have with polio.”
