COVID-19 vaccination: FG facing frustration over vaccine supply

. . . Says over 2 million receive first doses

. . . Extends second dose exercise to July 5

“As of today, June 24th 2021, our data shows that 2,099,568 people have been vaccinated with their first doses while 1,005,234 have received their second doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine”.

Dr Faisal Shuaib Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), disclosed on Thursday in Abuja, at a press conference to update Nigerians on the status of the Covid-19 vaccination.

Shuaib said the Federal Government has decided to extend the administration of second dose of the vaccine until 5th of July 2021, because it understood the constraints of time arising from our various economic and social engagements.

He reveals that the government is facing great frustration regarding the global vaccine supply. “We have experienced great frustration regarding the global vaccine supply. Not only have there been huge challenges with respect to vaccine manufacturers producing enough vaccines for the world, but there also has been great inequity in terms of distribution,” he stated.

According to him, “Most countries of the world have received few, and in some cases no, vaccines. This is a problem that needs to be solved urgently and we are communicating this very clearly to our international partners on behalf of Nigerians”.

He said further: “Recently, we are encouraged by the swell of contributions and pledges from major nations into COVAX. Rich nations of the world are showing greatly increased recognition that there must be more supply produced and it must be distributed much more fairly, and they are becoming active in solving this. Just a few days ago, the U.S. White House reconfirmed it will send an initial 80 million doses internationally by the end of this month, with additional shipments continuing to ramp up thereafter. These supplies and other large donations of vaccines to COVAX that are now planned will enable COVAX to supply new consignments to Nigeria and other nations who need vaccines now”.

However, in the face of this, the Federal Government has remained committed to ensuring that every eligible person in Nigeria is vaccinated against COVID-19.

Making a clarification Shuaib said the initial closing date for second dose administration was 25th of June, 2021.

“Even though we have extended the timeline for the second dose administration until 5th of July 2021, however those who have received their first dose no later than May 13th are advised to visit the nearest vaccination site to receive their second dose as soon as possible, for full protection against COVID-19,” he said.

He further explained that “full vaccination DOES NOT exempt people who have received their second doses of the vaccine from observing the infection prevention and control measures. It is very important for everyone, including those who have received their second doses to continue to wear face masks and observe other non-pharmaceutical measures to prevent the spread of the virus”.

Shuaib said that NPHCDA is working closely with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) response.

Already an App known as MED-SAFETY App was launched. He said that it is available for free on Play store for Android devices and Apple Store for IOS devices. With this App, any individual can report vaccine side effect for him or herself, or on behalf of another person, and will receive timely response. There are also other pharmacovigilance measures in place to monitor and respond to AEFI cases throughout the country. So far after they have recorded more than three million vaccinations, of which 13,267 people have experienced mild to moderate side effects, while 4,708 have experienced moderate to severe side effects.