PTF hopeful of indigenous, global vaccine for COVID-19

By RAHILA LASSA, Abuja

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Nigeria has acknowledged with delight progress being made globally and domestically to search for a cure for Covid-19.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 in Nigeria, Boss Mustapha said this at the daily joint press briefing in Abuja Nigeria.

He said this following the recent announcement that 4,000 people have volunteered for a vaccine trial in the United Kingdom.

“This gives some room for greater hope. We similarly look forward to the outcomes of validation processes for submissions made by some Nigerian scientists,” he said.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, however, noted with displeasure report about hospitals rejecting patients which results to avoidable deaths.

“We continue to plead with these hospitals not to reject patients but to follow the protocols for managing Covid-19 and most importantly, to seek necessary accreditation from the Ministry of Health and NCDC to manage COVID-19 cases,” he added.

The National Centre for Disease Control NCDC in Nigeria says getting a vaccine for COVID-19 in 2021 will be the fastest ever.

The Director General of the Centre, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu disclosed this at the daily joint Media briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Nigeria.

According to him, it takes no fewer than 5 years to get a vaccine from the discovery time of a disease. (VON)