By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has declared as safe and efficacious, AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, as Nigeria takes delivery of 3.92 doses of the vaccine.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the PTF Chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha, made the  declaration in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that  Nigeria has received 3,9340,000 doses of AstraZeneca  COVID-19 vaccine from India.

The doses are the first tranche of the 16 million doses expected under COVAX Facility arrangement.

Speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the SGF said: “The arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccine today marks a significant milestone in the National Response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

“For over one year, humanity has remained under the siege of a virus that has impacted on lives, livelihood, destroyed economies, governance systems, medical services, socio-economic systems.

  ” Nations around the world have deployed enormous resources to tackle the virus which has seen a first wave and more virulent second wave.”

He noted that COVID-19 had claimed more than 2.5 million lives worldwide.

” The successful development of vaccines and the accelerated process for emergency authorisation has brought hope to humanity.

“Its arrival in Nigeria today has been made possible through purposeful leadership by His Excellency, the President, in collaboration with domestic stakeholders, the international community,” he said.

Mustapha said that there were painstaking technical efforts to ensure that Nigerians were being offered safe and efficacious vaccines.

“​Prior to the vaccines phase, we had introduced and promoted Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs),” he said.

Mustapha said that the NPIs  remained valid measures under the Infection Prevention and Control Policy.

“I, therefore, urge all Nigerians to continue to comply with these measures even as we roll out vaccine administration plan which is expected to reach 70 per cent of our population between 2021 and 2022.

“Under the circumstances, it must continue to be NPIs plus vaccines.

“Although this consignment of vaccine is just 3.924 million doses of the expected 16 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX Facility, we are indeed grateful to the coalition that has made this possible for us to receive it.

“Administration of the vaccine to the last mile will be prioritised in a strategically-planned manner to meet out peculiar needs, cover our heroic healthcare workers who have sacrificed their all, including their lives, in caring for the rest of us.”

He gave the assurance that the PTF, working with other relevant agencies, would ensure transparency, efficiency and economy under the process.

“It is, therefore, important to assure all Nigerians that their turns for receiving the jab will come.”

He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil societies, the mass media  and others to take to  the grassroots and other segments of the society, the message on the significance of  vaccination against COVID-19.

“This is a fight for everyone.”

Also speaking at the airport, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said, “We must not forget our NPIs; citizens should come and be vaccinated when called upon.”

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mrs Mojisola Adeyeye, said, “I am happy the vaccine is here.

“We will ensure the best vaccine is given to Nigerians. We will do our due checks and diligence before rolling out of vaccines.

Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Health Care, Chukwuka Utazi, said the National Assembly would ensure that the  vaccine would  get to the most venerable first.

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said the U.S. had put two billion dollars into COVAX, adding that another two billion dollars would come.

“We are ready to do more. This is but a step in the success story; more will happen.

NAN reports  that COVAX was launched in April 2020, to help ensure a fairer distribution of coronavirus vaccines between rich and poor nations.

It said it would deliver two billion doses to its members by the end of 2021.

NAN gathered that the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) would be organising the shipment from Mumbai, with the World Health Organization (WHO), both supporters  of COVAX .

The 3.94  million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine was  licensed by the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, the Serum Institute of India.

The doses were part of an initial tranche of deliveries headed to several low and middle-income countries, including  Nigeria.(NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

An Emirate plane — Boeing 777300ER, carrying 3.94 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
has arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vaccine shipment is from COVAX, a global scheme to procure and distribute inoculations for free, as the world races to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

NAN reports that the boing 777300ER Emirate aircraft which arrived at 11:36 a.m. has a cooling system.

Nigeria is the third country to receive the vaccine in Africa after Ghana and Cote d’voire from the COVAX facility, launched in April 2020 to ensure fairer distribution of the coronavirus vaccine between rich and poor nations.

A total of two billion doses is expected to be delivered to COVAX member nations by the end of 2021 and the 3.94 million doses is Nigeria’s first shipment from the 16 million doses initially expected in the country.

The 3.94 million doses of vaccine was licenced by the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, the Serum Institute of India as part of an initial tranche of deliveries headed to several low and middle-income countries which Nigeria is part of.

Earlier, Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said “we have been informed that four million out of the 16 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines would arrive in the first batch of supplies to the country.”

Shuaib said the agency established a national COVID-19 operations room to track planned activities at all levels and report on state of preparedness, using a dash board to also identify and address gaps promptly.

According to him, an additional 500,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine donated by telecom giant, MTN, will also be delivered to the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Boss Mustapha, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, assured that “Nigeria shall receive the initial four million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines and Nigerians will be adequately informed on developments.

“The multisectoral machinery will be deployed to enhance the logistics to the ‘last-mile administration’ processes that have been put in place. This will involve community mobilisation, training, transportation, storage, operations, among others.

“The real work involves every sub-national entities, communities, the citizens, and the civil societies.”

Mustapha also said “the issue of vaccines continues to dominate discussions and major policy and financial decisions by various countries of the world.

“As you are aware, NAFDAC in the course of the week granted emergency use authorisation for the use of AstraZeneca vaccine in Nigeria. This decision was reached after due process by the regulatory body.” (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo will pick dates on which they will be vaccinated publicly, with the first batch of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is about four million doses, expected to arrive in Nigeria on Tuesday.

The Executive Director,  National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this at the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 briefing on Monday in Abuja.

Shuaib said that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chairman of the PTF on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, would liaise with other key strategic persons to fix the date for the public vaccination aimed at protecting Nigerians against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shuaib said: “I once again assure Nigerians that all necessary safety and quality control measures have been put in place for the arrival, storage and successful administration of the vaccine in the country. There is going to be a small ceremony, chaired by the Chairman of the PTF on COVID-19, to receive the vaccine at the VIP Protocol section, General Aviation Terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

 “At the end of the ceremonies to mark the arrival of the vaccines, a few vials of the vaccines would be handed over to the NAFDAC team fo analysis over a period of two days (Wednesday March 3rd and Thursday March 4th).

“Further to the clearance by NAFDAC, the PTF, FMOH, NPHCDA and strategic leaders will be at the treatment center of the National Hospital on Friday March 5th 2021, where the first vaccination site will be set up to commence the vaccination of the frontline health workers and support staff. These Staff would also be electronically registered in the COVID-19 vaccine database and would receive their COVID-19 vaccination card which has a QR code that can be verified worldwide.

On Saturday, March 6th, Key Strategic leaders will receive the first dose of the vaccine.

“On Monday, March 8th, 2021, more vaccination sites would have been set up at designated locations such as National Assembly clinic, State House clinic and Federal medical centre, Jabi, where strategic leaders such as the SGF, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Attorney General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, the Ministers and Ministers of States, Senators, House of Representatives, traditional leaders and religious leaders would be vaccinated.

“After this launch and initial roll-out phase, Vaccine distribution to the States for the first phase vaccination process will begin. This phase is the vaccination of all frontline health workers, their supporting staff and strategic leaders. Deployment of vaccines to the States would be based on the assessment of their level of preparedness. Some of the parameters that would be used for the assessment include adequate maintenance of their cold chain storage facilities, adequate preparation for logistic transportation to the ward/ health facility, adequate security in place during transportation and at vaccination sites, completion of training of health workers, efficient social mobilization activities in place, adherence to protocol for vaccine deployment.

Working with CACOVID, plans are on ground for a cargo plane provided by them to transport the vaccines to the States by air. States without a functional airport will have their vaccines transported by road using vans with fitted Cold Cabins, from the nearest airport. The vaccines will be stored at the State Cold Stores, from where they will be transported by road to LGA Cold Stores

Once activities have commenced in the States, there would be strict monitoring by PTF, FMOH, NPHCDA and independent bodies such as EFCC, DSS, ICPC, and Civil Society Organizations. States/health facilities/health workers that are identified as defaulting from the standard protocol and guidelines for this phase of vaccination would be sanctioned.

“While the first phase is ongoing, the National team would be ready for the arrival of the next batch of vaccines which would be used for the next phase of vaccination. Phase 2 vaccination process involves vaccination of the elderly from 50 years and above. This has been sub grouped into 2, with the vaccination of 60 and above occurring first followed by 50 – 59 years. This will occur across all 36 States and the FCT. Those who are eligible for vaccination that have not registered electronically, would be assisted at the designated health facility and would be vaccinated.

“Phase 3 vaccination process involves vaccination of those between 18 and 49 years with co-morbidities (such as hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, other heart disease, liver or renal disease, etc). Individuals at ages 50 and above with co-morbidities would already have been Immunized within their age group.

The phase 4 vaccination process would involve vaccination of the rest of the eligible population between the ages 18 and 49 years. It is worthy to note that at each phase of vaccination, the level of preparedness of the States are assessed before vaccines are deployed and accountability measures have been put in place to ensure strict compliance to the vaccination process. Pregnant women will be evaluated by their health providers to weigh the benefit versus risk, before a decision is taken to vaccinate them.”

 According to him, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, launched “our indigenous T.E.A.C.H strategy for COVID-19 vaccination and Electronic Management of Immunization Data system on Monday. This is to ensure safe and effective vaccination of prioritized and eligible Nigerians against COVID-19.

“Following the launching, through a unique link available on NPHCDA website, twitter handle, Facebook and Instagram, we have commenced electronic self-registration of health workers. This will enable us to avoid crowding at vaccination posts as the registered health workers will be scheduled and reminded of their vaccination date via sms and email.

 He, however, urged all eligible Nigerians aged 18 years and above to be patient as they would eventually vaccinate them. As the vaccines arrive in batches due to limited supply, they would also inform Nigerians about who and where to receive the vaccine.

“A comprehensive and transparent roll-out plan that involves public vaccination of President Buhari and other important dignitaries and stakeholders has been developed. Again, this is to assure Nigerians on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines that we are bringing into the country,” he disclosed.

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 360 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 156,017.

The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the 360 infections marked an increase from Sunday’s report of 240 in the country.

It sadly recorded eight COVID-19 deaths, raising the total number of deaths in the country to 1,915.

The NCDC said that the new infections were reported across 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“One hundred and twenty (120) of the new cases were reported in Lagos, 38 in Edo, 25 in Kaduna, 23 cases each in FCT and Imo state.

“Delta had 19 cases, Akwa Ibom and Plateau reported 17 cases each, Rivers had 16, Nasarawa had 15 and Kwara reported 13 cases.

“While Oyo confirmed 9 cases, Ogun had eight, Bauchi and Osun recorded four cases each, Kano and Kebbi confirmed three cases each, Niger had two and Katsina reported one case

The health agency said that 136 people have fully recovered after being treated. They have also been discharged after testing negative to the virus.

The agency stated that those discharged on Monday includes 81 community recoveries in Lagos State and 70 in the FCT managed in line with its guidelines.

It said that there were now 19,909 active cases, roughly a decrease of 247 in the last two days.

The agency said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, has continues to coordinate the national response activities in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the country has crossed a milestone of 1.5 million COVID-19 tests conducted since the first cases was reported, according to the data released by NCDC.

The country has tested 1,544,008  people since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced on Feb. 27, 2020.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent has reached 3,891,047.

According to the continental disease control and prevention agency’s COVID-19 dashboard, the death toll related to the pandemic stood at 103,519 so far.

A total of 3,463,677 people infected with COVID-19 had recovered across the continent, it disclosed.

The Southern Africa region is the most COVID-19-affected area on the continent, followed by the Northern Africa region, according to the agency.

The African countries with the highest number of positive cases include South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.