NPHCDA Begins Vaccination of Health Workers

By Ahmed Rahma

The Nigerian Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has started the vaccination of frontline health workers today.

The agency kicked off the vaccination campaign on Friday after undergoing a final assessment by the National Agency for Food & Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC).

“We have confirmation that they have concluded their final checks with positive results.

“Nigeria can now go ahead and use the 3.924m doses of AstraZeneca vaccines,” NPHCDA stated.

Speaking at the national flag-off ceremony for COVID-19 vaccination at the National Hospital, Abuja, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said it is a huge day for Nigeria as “we administer the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

Mr Mustapha, who saluted the commitment of all health workers in saving and ensuring the protection of all Nigerians, said this is a novel roll-out and the only authorised source is the federal government.

“Defined frontline health workers are prioritized globally, for vaccination against COVID-19, due to their exposure to the risk infection with COVID-19 virus in the course of duty.

“The vaccination campaign we kick off today will be in four phases and will align with the planned arrival of vaccines in batches. Each phase targets a specific segment of our eligible population, to ensure equity in vaccine deployment,” he said.

On his part, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said, “The long-awaited day is here, by which Nigerians join others the global community to be vaccinated against the dreaded COVID-19 virus.

“For us in the health sector, it is the start of a tedious but hopeful exercise.”

Earlier in his remarks, the CEO of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said, “Today, we are going to be administering the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine to our frontline health workers.

“The vaccines we are administering today are safe and effective.

“It’s a momentous occasion today as we administer the first dose to one of our foremost frontline Medical Doctor in the fight against COVID-19.”

To officially start the vaccination, a medical doctor and a frontline health worker at the National Hospital Abuja, Mr Cyprian Nkong, received the AstraZeneca vaccine, making him the first Nigerian to receive the jab.

After he was vaccinated, Nurse Faith E. Eragbai, Dr Nuru Joseph and Dr Thairu Yunusa also received their own doses of the vaccines.