JUST IN; Nigeria Begins COVID-19 Vaccination

Nigeria on Friday commenced its COVID-19 vaccination as a medical doctor, Dr. Cyprian Igong, of the National Hospital, Abuja, received a jab of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, flagged off the exercise on behalf of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). 

 At the exercise on Friday, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, described the moment as a “watershed”. 

 The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, also said it was crucial “to first cater for those who cater for us”.

 Nigeria had on Tuesday received about four million doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine shipped into the country through the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport. 

 The President and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will, on Saturday, receive shots of the vaccines to dissipate vaccine hesitancy amongst Nigerians. 

 Details later…