By Sunday Awosoro.
The federal government of Nigeria gas expressed the possibility of the country, receiving another batch of Covid-19 vaccines in July and September.
This was disclosed yesterday by the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, at a press conference in Abuja.
“On the global vaccine supply and anticipated next consignment, the Covax facility has communicated that the upcoming allocation is likely from July or September 2021.
“The exact dates are still being finalised. Nevertheless, bilateral conversations are ongoing to see how we can access the surplus vaccines being stockpiled by developed countries,” he explained.
Shuaib, while updating on the number of Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFIS), he said that the federal government has only recorded a total of 10,027, moderate and severe cas s of AEFI. While mild symptoms include pain and swelling of vaccination spot, moderate severe symptoms could be headaches, abdominal pain, fever, allergic reactions and dizziness. He as well listed Cross River, Kaduna, Lagos, Yobe and Kebbi to be the states with the highest records of AEFI.
He said, “a total of 10,027 cases of mild AEFI have been reported as of May 30, while 86 cases of moderate to severe incidents have been reported. All these individuals have since fully recovered”.
Giving account on the state of vaccination in Nigeria, Shuaib mentioned 73,465 Nigerians, including the president and his vice, to have received their second dose. He also stated sole state governors, members of the legislature, traditional and religious leaders among the recipients.
The Vent Republic reports that yesterday, the Country Director of WHO, Dr. Walter Malumbo while announcing the sign off and distribution of the two-dose Sinavac Covid-19 vaccines, he considered Nigeria’s vaccination process among the best in Africa.
“WHO today validated the Sinovac-CoronaVac Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use,” his statement read.