NIGER LAUNCH COVID-19 VACCINE

March 10, 2021

The 74,110 doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID 19 vaccine that arrived Niger State on Monday 8/3/2021, was flag off today Wednesday 10/3/2021 by His Excellency, Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Sani Bello the Executive Governor of Niger State at the Council Chambers of Government House Minna.

The vaccination exercise was first administered to the Governor, his Deputy, SSG, chief of staff, Commissioners and the rest of his council members, as a show of leadership by example and a prove that the vaccine is safe and good for the people of Niger State.

Earlier before the vaccination exercise, the Commissioner of health Dr. Mohammed Makun-sidi acknowledged the proactive efforts of the state governor in health sector of the state. He said it was based on the deliberate efforts of the governor and the strategic position of the state makes Niger State to be the second state in Nigeria to flag off COVID19 vaccination.

The commissioner, assured the governor and his council members on the efficacy of the vaccine and the need to take the vaccine so as to make Niger State free of Corona virus. He said the vaccine has under gone several test and several clinical trials by international organisations, certified by WHO and endorsed by NAFDAC because, it was found to be safe and effective.

Finally, the commissioner encouraged everybody to immunize him/her self with the vaccine.

In the same light, the Executive Director of Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NSPHCDA) Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Danga also, appreciate the Governor taking health issues seriously in Niger State. He said the first batch of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID19 vaccine that arrived in Niger State is 74,110.

He said the vaccine will be administered in three phases. The first phase is for the government official, Frontline health workers, security agents and essential workers such as fueling station attendants. He said the total population of people in the category of phase 1, is just 1 percent of the population of Niger State. Phase 2 of the vaccination will be administered to the elderly people from the ages of 50 years and above. Also, the people with co-morbidites such as hypertension, diabetes, lung diseases, HIV, liver or renal diseases, etc. While, the phase 3 vaccination will cover the entire general public.

The Executive Director said the 74,110 doses of the vaccine will cover 40 percent of the population of Niger.

Thereafter, he explained ppthat they will adopt their existing structure to immunize the entire target population in Niger State.

The executive governor, Deputy governor, SSG, HOS, COS, all other council members, health workers, staff of government house and those of us that were privileged to witness the flag off also, took our turn one after the other. Therefore, members of the general public are encouraged to take the vaccine and the vaccine is free of charge. May God safe us from COVID19 pandemic. Ameen.