COVID-19: FG postpones second batch vaccination over ‘unforeseen circumstances’

The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 says that the second phase vaccination against the pandemic earlier scheduled to commence on Tuesday in Abuja has been cancelled.

A spokesman in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Willie Bassey, said this in Abuja on Sunday in a statement.

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“This is to announce the postponement of the national flag-off exercise of phase 11 vaccination programme earlier scheduled for Tuesday this week due to unforeseen circumstances. A new date will be communicated, please,” Bassey said.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, doubles as the chairman of the PSC.

The PSC had said on Saturday in a statement by Mr Bassey that the second phase vaccination against the pandemic will formally commence on Tuesday in Abuja.

This is after the committee secured the approval of the National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“The PSC has received over four million doses of Moderna vaccine donated by the United States Government to Nigeria.

“In view of the above, the inoculation is scheduled from Tuesday, August 10, at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja,” Bassey had said in Saturday’s statement.

The vaccines were donated by the United States Government to Nigeria and delivered through the COVAX facility on August 2, 2021.

The COVAX is a United Nations-backed effort that promises access to vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries’ populations.

The US President, Mr Joe Biden, had in May this year, pledged to share 80 million vaccines with countries around the world to protect the most vulnerable, and Africa is expected to receive 25 million of these 80 million.

Nigeria in March received four million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, which led to the successful vaccination of 3,938,945 eligible persons across 36 states and FCT, representing 98 per cent utilisation of the vaccines.

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is given in double doses, as a person is required to come back for a second jab, some weeks after taking the first shot in designated centres.