September 16, 2024

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Africa's Media Giant
Exclusive
Breaking News

1 Culture: China reaffirms commitment to strengthen ties with Nigeria

2 Nigeria’s road to vaccine self-sufficiency: The challenges, prospects

3 Foundation urges government to address hospital malnutrition

4 Information minister lauds retired PS, commits to mandate

5 Africa at critical junction in search for peace –Ibn Chambas

World Health Organisation (WHO) logo
Health

COVID-19 vaccine: WHO to spend $9.3m grant in 15 states

By Franca Ofili

World Health Organisation (WHO) says it will use the 9.3 million dollars grant from Canadian Government to implement COVID-19 vaccination in 15 lowest performing states in Nigeria.

Dr Walter Mulombo, WHO Country Representative, said this on Wednesday in Abuja during the launch of Canada Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE) grant.

Mulombo said that the grant would be implemented in the 15 lowest performing states of Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun and Ondo.

“It will help to mainstream and integrate gender responsive, equity based and human rights focused interventions that promote `leaving no one behind` agenda in the country.

“The grant has come at the right time to help improve coverage and uptake of the vaccine among the priority populations in line with the current WHO SAGE roadmap on uses of COVID-19 vaccines,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria has made progress in the fight against COVID-19.

He said that as of July 17, 2023, 77,285, 627 persons in Nigeria have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination, with, 87,838,137 persons receiving at least one dose of the vaccine.

“Also, 16,011,524 of those who have completed the primary series have received a booster dose of the vaccine,” he said.

Mulombo said that in spite of the achievement, there was still more work to be done.

“As of now 14 states are performing less than 50 per cent vaccination coverage of their target population, and we still have some vulnerable populations that are not sufficiently covered.

“Key among these subgroups are the aged (50years and above), people with co-morbidities, the health workers, people living in humanitarian and security compromised communities and the pregnant women,” he said.

Mulombo said that WHO Director General’s declaration that COVID-19 was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concerns (PHEIC) marked a turning point in the control of the pandemic.

He said the declaration however did not mean COVID-19 was over as a global and national health threat.

“Though considerable achievements have been made, we are still at risk of the infection as cases are still being reported in a number of countries.

“I will like to take this opportunity to caution all of us on the need to continue protecting ourselves by completing the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination.

“ For those who have completed should continue with the booster dose schedule,” he said.

Mulombo assured the ministry of health that WHO would continue to collaborate with partners to support the government’s effort to protect vulnerable segments of the population and the structures and health systems were strengthened.

“We shall continue to provide technical support to implement one health approach to preparedness and response, and integrate COVID-19 surveillance and response activities into routine health programmes.

“Together with partners and the government we will dedicate sustained attention and resources to preparedness and resilience to counter future threats,” he said.

Mulombo appreciated the support from the Canadian government through the CanGIVE grant.

High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Mr Jamie Chrisoff, said that Canada instituted CanGIVE- a alobal initiative of 317 million Canadian dollars to respond to country priorities for COVID-19.

He said it also meant to build on Canada’s long-standing global commitment to support health systems.

Chrisoff said the WHO project would be implemented in seven countries, with Nigeria receiving the highest share of 9.3 million dollars

According to him, Nigeria is also among the first set of countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses from Canada in September of 2021. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng.com)

============
Edited by Benson Iziama/Uche Anunne

Health

COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine has no side effect – NAFDAC

 

By Aderogba George

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),  says the Astrazeneca vaccine  recently inaugurated and distributed to states to treat COVID-19 has no side effect.

Adeyeye, who stated this on Thursday in Abuja, shortly after she got vaccinated, said that NAFDAC went through the application dossier of the vaccine before it was approved to be administered on Nigerians for the treatment of COVID-19.

“When we got the dossier or the application package of the vaccine, we went through it line by line, but before we got the application itself, we went through other assessments.

“I am talking about their assessment report so that we are prepared and guided when we start our own and that was exactly what happened.

“We conclude based on quality, safety and efficacy because we have to depend on the report, this particular AstraZeneca vaccine, over 20, 000 people were involved in phase three of the report,’’ she said.

Adeyeye said that the effectiveness of AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the risk, as it has already been scrutinised.

She noted that there was no medicine without its side effect, especially when still going through the developmental stage.

The director-general said that from all indications of quality and efficacy, the benefit of AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the risk and the side effect.

She said that the agency also believed in herbal medicine, but it must be backed with research before such could be approved.

She added that such herbal medicine must be antiviral to cater for various illnesses.

Adeyeye said that the agency had accommodated 14 of such herbal medicine for listing to ascertain whether it was safe to use it.

She said that the agency must also do its own clinical trials before any herbal medicine would be approved.

She disclosed that the Federal Government had arranged for research and development scheme for the health sector, adding that, a lot of herbal medicine were going to be used for the testing. (NAN)

Foreign

Guterres renews call for global vaccination campaign as COVID-19 clocks 1

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday renewed his call for a global vaccination campaign as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic clocked one year.

In a statement, Guterres stated that equity in vaccine distribution represented the “greatest moral test of our times”.

It was on March 11, 2020 that the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus a pandemic, NAN reports.

Noting that the world had faced “a tsunami of suffering” since then, Guterres stated that there was “some light at the end of the tunnel” with the vaccine roll-out.

“COVAX, the global vaccine equity mechanism, has started delivery around the world, including to some of the lowest-income countries.

“Yet I am deeply concerned that many low-income countries have not yet received a single dose, while wealthier countries are on track to vaccinating their entire population.

“We see many examples of vaccine nationalism and vaccine hoarding in wealthier countries, as well as continued side deals with manufacturers that undermine access for all.”

As of Thursday afternoon, no fewer than 328 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in 126 countries, according to CNN.

Data compiled by the New York Times show that on continental basis, North America is leading with 17 doses administered per 100 people.

Europe is second with 10.2 doses/100 people, followed by South America (4.7 doses/100), Asia (2.6 doses/100), Africa (0.4 doses/100people) and Oceania (0.3 doses/100).

Looking back at the last 12 months, the UN chief said it had been a year of “empty office buildings, quiet streets and closed schools in much of the world”.

“I commend women, men and young people everywhere for adapting to work, learn and live in new ways.

“I honour health workers for their dedication and sacrifice and all other essential workers who have kept societies running.

“I salute all those who have stood up to the deniers and disinformation, and have followed science and safety protocols. You have helped save lives,” he said.

Guterres said the UN would continue to mobilise the international community through the COVAX facility to make vaccines affordable and available for all.(NAN)

Foreign , Health

Taraba receives 56,250 doses of COVID-19 vaccine

By Gabriel Yough

Taraba Government has received 56,250 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from Federal Government.

Dr Ebenezer Apake, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health received the vaccine on behalf of the state government at a brief ceremony in Jalingo on Thursday.

Apake described the arrival of the vaccine as a bold step towards tackling the rising wave of deadly virus in the state.

“For us to win the war against the pandemic, 80 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated.

“I want to call on the people especially frontline health workers who will benefit from the first tranche to avail themselves for the vaccination.

“Though the vaccine is here with us, we must keep to the protocol of social distancing and wearing of facemask,” he said.

Dr Jauro Hassan, Executive Secretary, Taraba Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the government had trained 254 workers across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state for the vaccination.

He said that the trainee were expected to step down the training to the grassroots level for optimal result.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ceremony was witnessed by members of the state COVID -19 Technical Committee, representative of the Who Health Organisation (WHO, the media among others.(NAN)

Health

Gov. Akeredolu assures citizens of safety of COVID-19 vaccine

By Ayodeji Alabi

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has assured residents of the state of safety of Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine, even as he stressed the need to be vaccinated against the deadly virus.

Akeredolu gave the assurance on Wednesday in Akure during the inauguration of COVID-19 vaccination in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state received 73,570 vaccines on Tuesday.

The governor, while imploring citizens to shun unfounded rumours about the vaccine, said it had been tested and certified safe by reputable international oganisations as well as National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“While it is true that you are not 100 per cent prevented from getting infected after vaccination, you are less likely to get seriously sick or die of COVID-19, and also less likely to infect others.

“So, I charge all our local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders and health workers to step up intensive sensitisation for the good people of Ondo State to register and get themselves vaccinated,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Adesegun Fatusi, Chairman, State Inter-ministerial Committee on COVID-19, described the vaccination as a very historic moment in the battle against coronavirus in the state.

He emphasised the need for people to be vaccinated in order to be immunised against the virus.

Fatusi, who described the vaccine as a potent weapon against COVID-19, expressed confidence that with the support of the governor, the war against the virus would soon be won.

NAN reports that Akeredolu was the first person to take the vaccine in the state.

Dignitaries at the event included: representatives of United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO) and traditional rulers. (NAN)

Foreign

UNICEF chief: $1bn more needed for COVAX COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The UNICEF on Wednesday urged countries to contribute more money to help poor countries to access Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, saying around $1 billion was needed.

UNICEF, the world’s single largest vaccine buyer, is part of the World Health Organisation-backed COVAX programme to supply COVID-19 shots to emerging economies.

“We have been asking the world for more funding for UNICEF and our distribution to countries we still need about 1 billion dollars ,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said at Dubai’s World Government Summit.

That funding could be used to strengthen health systems in poorer nations and support the distribution of vaccines there, she said.

The COVAX initiative aims to deliver at least 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses this year, including 1.3 billion doses to lower-income countries.

Fore urged vaccine makers to sign licensing agreements so vaccines could be made locally, singling out Africa as one market that needed it.

She also said it was unlikely that the COVAX scheme would be able to cover the world in 2021.

“There is still more to do and we could do with more help and assistance,” Fore said. (Reuters/NAN)

Health

Bauchi State receives 150,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines

By Ahmed Kaigama

Bauchi State government on Wednesday received 150,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines allocated by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Baba Tela, said this while receiving the vaccines at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.

Tela assured residents of the state that the government would soon commence the vaccination in line with the scheduled guidelines by NPHCDA.

He said that 80, 570 doses of COVID-19 vaccines would be administered to frontline health workers, government officials, traditional, religious leaders and security personnel.

Tela, also the Chairman of the state Task Force Committee on COVID-19 and Lassa fever, declared that “the vaccine is potent.’’

According to him, the vaccine has been administered across the world and all those who took it are doing well.

“The World Health Organisation has approved it, therefore, we in Bauchi are ready to take it,” the deputy governor said.

He further said that Gov. Bala Mohammmed, would lead other top government officials to take the vaccine after which others in the legislature and security would take their turns.

The deputy governor said that the vaccine would be distributed to the 20 Local Government Areas and 323 wards in the state where it would be administered to frontline health workers and other vulnerable people, including the aged and children.

He advised citizens to shun misinformation making the rounds about the vaccines, adding that it had been scientifically tested and certified fit for human use by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Tela assured that the quantity supplied to the state would be administered and urged the people not to be afraid but embrace the vaccine as the surest way of avoiding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking earlier, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA) said that the vaccines arrived late Tuesday night and was taken into the cold store to maintain its potency.

Mohammed added that the vaccines must be administered immediately in line with the direction of its usage, stressing that it was potent in fighting COVID-19 infection.

He assured the people that the government would ensure that the vaccine went round everybody in order to rid the state of COVID-19. (NAN)

Health

Benue Govt takes delivery of 50,000 COVID-19 vaccines

By Emmanuel Antswen

The Benue State Government on Tuesday acknowledged the receipt of 50,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Ngunan Addingi, said this at the end of the Executive Council Meeting in Makurdi.

Addingi said that the vaccination was completely voluntary.

She said: ”The state government has received a total of 50,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for onward vaccination of Benue citizens.

Addingi said the state action committee on COVID-19 would meet to determine the modalities and when the vaccination would begin.

The commissioner said that the state Executive Council also approved the sum of N163.6 million as government’s 10 per cent monthly contributory pension for its workers.

Addingi added that the council approved the sum of N77.4 million for the training of Special Constables in the state and another N34 million as their monthly stipends. (NAN)

Health

PTF members receive COVID-19 vaccines

By Abujah Racheal

Members of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja received jabs of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines during its weekly national briefing.

The PTF team includes the Chairman, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Environment, Muhammad Mahmood  and Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.

Others are the Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu; Minister of Foreign Affairs ,Geoffrey Onyeoma, and the National Incident Manager (NIM) PTF, Mukhtar Muhammad, among others.

“Today, Monday, March, 8, 2021, I will lead all members of the PTF to receive the first doses of the vaccine as a further demonstration of the safety and efficacy.

“Also, our journalists who are critical front-liners in this fight will receive the vaccine in a representative manner,” Mustapha said before the vaccination exercise.

Nigeria on Tuesday took delivery of nearly four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as part of an overall 16 million doses planned to be delivered to the country in batches over the next few months.

The vaccines are being provided by COVAX, an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Upon arrival, samples were handed to NAFDAC, the Nigerian food and drug regulatory agency, for further examination.

Nigeria on Friday commenced the vaccination, beginning with healthcare workers who are often at the risk of exposure to infections being the first responders to patients.

Cyprian Ngong, a medical doctor, became the first person to receive a jab of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines in Nigeria. Three other health workers were also vaccinated during the flag-off event at the National Hospital in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also received jabs of the COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday to drive vaccine acceptance.

The PTF was established by President Muhammadu Buhari on March 9, 2020, to coordinate and oversee the country’s multi-sectoral inter-governmental efforts to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

Health

Virologist tells Nigerians to give COVID-19 vaccine a chance

By Abujah Racheal

Dr Solomon Chollom, a Jos based Virologist, has urged Nigerians to give the COVID-19 vaccine a chance in the country, saying that vaccines save lives.

Chollom told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that so much had changed about life and living since the  SARS COV2 (COVID-19) virus pandemic hit the world.

“With daily figures of infected cases and mortalities due to the virus rising and falling unabatedly, experts and authorities rolled out response strategies that get updated as knowledge and information about the virus improves.

“Some response measures that have been put forward to fight the virus include quarantisocial distancing; lockdown; testing and treatment amongst others.

“These measures have played significant roles holding down the pandemic, they are not as potent as vaccines.”

According to the virologist,  a vaccine is a biological propagation which when administered, teaches the body system to fight off infectious diseases.

He said that an effective vaccine is one which is safe and efficacious.

“This data is generated from clinical trials and reviewed by regulatory agencies before a vaccine a certified for human use.

“With the pandemic still raging on especially with the emergence of new variants, across the world, it is clear that the response strategy implemented so far is still weak and inadequate hence the need to look the way of vaccines.

“Experts believe that vaccines and vaccination will strengthen the weakness in the global response and eventually end the pandemic,” he told NAN.

According to him, hindsight from history has shown that vaccines play significant roles in eradicating deadly diseases in the past.

He said that diseases including small pox and bubonic plague and polio in the recent past were clear examples.

“In view of this, vaccines against COVID-19 need to be given a chance to bolster our response framework,” she said.

NAN reports that Nigeria on March 2, 2021, took delivery of nearly four million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as part of an overall 16 million doses planned to be delivered to the country in batches over the next few months.

The vaccines are being provided by COVAX, an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Upon arrival, samples were handed to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) NAFDAC for further examination.

It was later certified to be safe and effective for use.

Nigeria commenced the COVID-19 vaccination, beginning with healthcare workers who are often at the risk of exposure to infections being the first responders to patients.(NAN)

error: Content is protected !!