Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: COVID-19 vaccination

  • NPHCDA Promises Best COVID-19 Vaccination programme in Africa  

    NPHCDA Promises Best COVID-19 Vaccination programme in Africa  

    … NASS  confronted  agency on lack of   capacity to deliver  vaccination- Dr. Shuaib 
    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
    Executive Director to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCD, Dr. Faisal Shuaib has said the agency would deliver the best  COVID-19 vaccination programme in Africa
    Shuaib said  that he is confident that the agency would achieve this feat despite  the lack of confidence  by the National Assembly that NPHCDA have the capacity to deliver on the COVID-19 vaccination in the country and the success recorded so far on the vaccination programme.
    He made this promise  today  in Abuja at the NPHCDA Year 2021 Staff Productivity and Send –  Forth Ceremony.
    He said, ” Nobody gave us a chance to deliver on COVID-19. Nobody gave us a chance to  do  the best COVID-19 programme all across Africa.”
    “I  know that our number might not be showing that we are doing so well, but it is not how well you start but how well you finished and we will finish and will be the best programme in the whole of Africa.”
    He stated that at advent  of COVID-19 in the country  the National Assembly invited the agency but  belittled it’s capacity to deliver the vaccination programme.
    Shuaib recalled,  “We were invited to the national assembly and a number of legislators told me to my face that NPHCDA does not have the capacity to deliver COVID-19 vaccination”.
    “Despite  all of the examples that I gave about how well we worked together to eradicate wild polio virus. They said no, this one is different.”
    The NPHCDA boss  praised the staff for their tireless work at making the COVID-19 vaccination programme result- oriented.
    Do I need to go back to the National Assembly to show them the amazing things that you guys gave done?, he said.
    To appreciate the staff of the agency, Shuaib  promised to  improve the staff welfare packages  and salary increase  reward for the incredible work  they do.
    “We are the generation of Nigerians that will make the difference and making that difference start wit you and start with compensating you for the hard work that you have been putting across the years.”
    Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our routine immunization still continued to rise from 33 percent to 71 percent and 63 percent and we will keep going, he emphasized.
  • FG Begins Johnson & Johnson Single Dose COVID-19 Vaccination

    FG Begins Johnson & Johnson Single Dose COVID-19 Vaccination

    The Federal Government Tuesday formally rolled out the Johnson & Johnson single dose of COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

    The government also launched the SCALES 2.0 Strategy which entails the integration of COVID-19 vaccination with childhood routine immunization for eligible adults 18 years and above, and children zero to two years respectively.

    SCALES is an acronym for service delivery, communication, accountability, logistics, electronic reporting, and supportive supervision for the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination.

    It will be done leveraging mass vaccination campaigns, routine immunization fixed sessions, outreach services and mobile services.

    The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said Nigeria had an adequate stock of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, with over 30 million doses in stock.

    He urged all eligible persons yet to receive their vaccination to go to the nearest COVID-19 vaccination site and get vaccinated.

    “This single dose offers the same protection you get from two doses of AstraZeneca, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech and Moderna vaccines,” he said.

    He said the SCALES strategy had proven to be quite effective in ramping up COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

    Ehanire said as of February 18, Nigeria had administered over 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccination, representing over 18 per cent of the 111,176,503 eligible population targeted for vaccination.

  • FG to integrate COVID-19 vaccination, routine immunization at PHCs

    FG to integrate COVID-19 vaccination, routine immunization at PHCs

    …as new COVID-19 variant IHU, Deltacron,BA.2 invade France, Cyprus

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    Owing to the increase and spike COVID-19 infections over the festive period both locally and globally, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, said it would integrate COVID-19 vaccination with the routine childhood vaccination at the Primary Health Care, PHC.

    Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Shuaib said, “We would also like to inform the general public that in this phase of COVID-19 mass vaccination we plan to integrate the campaign with childhood immunization and other PHC services.”
    “What this simply means is that alongside the COVID-19 vaccines, childhood vaccines will also be available at COVID-19 vaccination sites.”
    He therefore urged parents or guardians with children aged zero to 23 months are urged to take them along to the vaccination sites.
    He stressed that the routine childhood vaccines protect against polio, whooping cough, measles, yellow fever, tetanus, tuberculosis, and other childhood preventable diseases.
    He explained, “This is to ensure that while we are trying so hard to control the transmission of COVID-19, we do not neglect other PHC services or even have outbreaks of childhood vaccine preventable diseases on our hands.”

    The ED urged Nigerians to visit vaccination sites or health centres nearest to them with their zero to 23 months old children for vaccination against COVID-19 and childhood vaccine- preventable.
    Meanwhile, Shuaib informed that there are global COVID-19 new variants with mutants spiking new infections.

    He said,” Globally we saw the emergence of new variiants such as the IHU variant in France which is said to have 46 mutants, Dektacron in Cyprus and the Omicron variant still being highly infectious with the BA.2 subvariant rapidly spreading.”

    The reason for the emergence of these variants, is because there is still a large proportion of the eligible population who have not yet been vaccinated and this has given the virus time to mutate and fight back, he explained.
    We call on Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunity in the on-going mass vaccination exercise to get vaccinated against COVID-19, Shuaib appealed to Nigerians.

  • COVID-19 vaccination enforcement hits 70% in FCT- Attah

    COVID-19 vaccination enforcement hits 70% in FCT- Attah

    By Joyce Remi-. Babayeju

    As staff of FCTA rush to comply with the no COVID-19 vaccination no entry directive, the Senior Special Assistant to the minister of FCT on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikaro Attah today , said the responses has showed 70% compliance as the enforcement enters day two.

    This improved compliance is coming as the FCT Administration started full enforcement of operation show your vaccination card no entry for the staff and visitors on Monday.

    Attah who expressed satisfaction when he conducted journalists round the FCT departments and agencies to check the level of compliance by the staff, said the turn up of those that had received the jab since the commencement was impressive.

    He said, “Like yesterday, we have massive turn out of staff that are fully vaccinated, we have gone to FCT departments and agencies and have seen that the staff are fully vaccinated. What we will continue to insist is that the vaccination is not by force, we are not forcing people to take the job or vaccine. We are only telling people to come with either COVID-19 negative result test, or prove of vaccination.”

    “We are happy that there is high level of compliance, as of today the enforcement hit 70%, with the impressive turn up and the ongoing vaccination we are almost there.”

    Comment ing on those staying away from their offices, Attah explained that the permanent secretary (FCTA), Mr Olusade Adesola said such staff will be treated as absentees who deliberately stay away from work.

    The FCT permanent secretary is clear about that, anyone who stays away from the office will be treated as someone who is on the run, and the civil service rule is clear about it, he said.

    According to Attah, the Permanent Secretary with Director Human Resource Management, Mallam Bashir Muhammed have made it very clear that if you decide to stay at home because you don’t have evidence of vaccination, or COVID-19 negative result test, you will be treated in line with the civil service rule.

    COVID-19 vaccination centres are all over the city, thus people are advised to go for their jab, saying the exercise was for no fee, he advised.

  • FCTA begins Aggressive Drive for COVID-19 Vaccination Enforcement

    FCTA begins Aggressive Drive for COVID-19 Vaccination Enforcement

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) today commenced an aggressive drive for COVID-19 vaccination or show your valid card for entry into all its office premises.

    Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister,  Ikharo Attah who led the enforcement team to all FCTA Secretariats,  Departments and Agencies, said that although no staff or visitors is forced to take the vaccines, every individual must present either a vaccination card or  a negative COVID-19 test result to gain access to the premises. 

    He stated that this drive is necessary amid the surging cases of  Omicron variant in the territory adding that stringent measures must be  taken to protect staff and everyone that has anything to do with the administration. 

    Attah explained that the administration has given staff enough time to choose between any of the options approved, to avoid the stressed of being turned back at the gate. 

    “We have given a full week for advocacy,  and we got a van that went round announcing it. Circulars were also circulated in line with the one earlier issued out by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, that staff who are not vaccinated. ”

    ” For those who choose not to be vaccinated, have the option to get a negative test result.  So if you bring your vaccination card or the negative test result, any of the two can suffice.”

    ” Even if you feel you should not be vaccinated, you have the option to get us a negative test result, of not more than 3 days old, and you will get access.”

    ” People thought that we are not serious here, but they have come to let them know that when the Ministers, Malam Muhammad Bello,  Dr. Ramatu Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary say something,  they mean it.”

    Meanwhile, a visit by journalists to offices of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Central Area, Social Development Secretariat,  Area 10, Garki, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council,  wuse zone 6 and other showed strict compliance.

    Daybreak also observed that there is a rush by vaccination seekers both staff and non staff at all the approved centres.

  • NYSC Members To Show COVID-19 Vaccination Proof Before Camp Registration

    NYSC Members To Show COVID-19 Vaccination Proof Before Camp Registration

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says prospective members will be required to show evidence of vaccination before they will be allowed into the camp for registration from the next orientation exercise in 2022.

    NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, announced this on Monday in his nationwide virtual address to the 2021 Batch “C” Stream Two corps members and camp officials.

    Amid the reported cases of the new COVID-19 variant – omicron, he stated that the NYSC would not let down its guard on strict adherence to the protocols put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

    “We want to ensure that we adhere strictly to the non-pharmaceutical protocols of COVID-19,” Ibrahim was quoted as saying in a statement by a spokesman for the corps, Emeka Mgbemena.

    He advised corps members that were about to complete their orientation course to add value to themselves by acquiring skills that would make them business owners, instead of seeking the scarcely available salaried jobs.

    The NYSC-DG noted that the scheme had partnered several institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others to provide soft loans to corps members with good business proposals.

    He urged them to continue with the post-camp training of the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme they started during the orientation course.

    The brigadier-general gave an assurance that efforts were ongoing to establish NYSC Trust Fund to make more funds available for willing corps member to start their businesses as they exit service.

    “NYSC is a platform for those that are very serious. Please take the skill acquisition seriously and ensure you register for the post-camp training. I can assure you that our partners are ready to support us to ensure that the start-up capitals are made available to corps members,” he said.

    lbrahim also warned corps members against night and unauthorised journeys, but break any trip extending beyond 6pm and pass the night in a safe place.

    “Don’t endanger your security and for those going on relocation, please ensure that you don’t travel at night,” he stated. “Don’t board vehicles by the roadside, but go to designated motor parks to do so.

    “Avoid free rides; we have partnered various transport unions, including the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure that only road-worthy vehicles are provided for corps members while travelling.

    “We have NYSC corps lodges, secretariats, and army barracks; find out where they are and make sure you pass the night there for journeys that will take you beyond six (pm) to get to your destination.”

  • Covid-19 Vaccination: CITAD Calls For Aggressive Media Sensitisation

    Covid-19 Vaccination: CITAD Calls For Aggressive Media Sensitisation

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Saturday called on stakeholders in the health sector to embark on massive and aggressive sensitization of the public using all media outlets to propagate Covid-19 vaccination.

    The Centre made the call in a Communiqué issued at the end of a One-Day Media Influencers and Stakeholders Engagement on Promoting Covid-19 Vaccination on Saturday in Lokoja signed by Ms Yemi Balogun.

    The pandemic, according to the communique had remained a global concern since its outbreak in Wuham, China in December, 2019 and has attracted the attention of all stakeholders in the onerous battle to quell it which could be sensitised through media outlets such as the radio, television, Facebook, WhatsApp, including various worship centres.

    “One of the efforts in recent times is the discovery of vaccine which according to health experts and researchers, has the capacity to safeguard humanity against the virus.

    It held that the essence of the COVID-19 Vaccination campaign project was to promote acceptability and actual uptake of the vaccine in Kogi State, sensitize the public on its efficacy and safety.

    The project, according to the Communique, is also to further provide information on how to access the vaccine and build a community of influencers who will amplify and propagate the Covid-19 Vaccination.

    The Centre urged religious leaders and other stakeholders and the public to take a bold step towards taking the Covid-19 vaccine saying tha the “vaccine is safe.”

    The Communiqué however urged sufficient sensitization of parents on the difference between COVID-19 Vaccine and other vaccinations as most children now run from other immunizations due to misinformation on the Covid-19 vaccines.

    The Communiqué said that the stakeholders brainstormed on the best strategies to adopt in reaching the unreached and enriching the reached with adequate, timely and right information on COVID-19 vaccination.

    The programme was organised by the centre in collaboration with Yemi Balogun, a Social Media Influencer, with support from MacArthur Foundation under the Equitable Recovery Campaign.

  • FG Begins Mass Vaccination Of COVID-19 Booster Shots

    FG Begins Mass Vaccination Of COVID-19 Booster Shots

    Nigeria on Friday started the administration of COVID-19 booster shots, days after the Federal Government approved the decision.

    “Following the detection of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Federal Government reviewed the country’s vaccination programme and resolved to introduce the booster dose using the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech vaccine across the country,” the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, said during the flag-off of vaccination for Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps. “This will take effect as from tomorrow, Friday the 10th of December 2021.”

    At the event held in Abuja on Thursday, the NPHCDA also explained that the eligibility criteria for the booster jabs.

    “Eligibility for the booster dose includes being 18 years and above, fully vaccinated with either two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine,” he noted.

    “The time interval before the booster dose is at least six months for these vaccines, except the Johnson and Johnson which is at least two months.

    “This is another opportunity to be further protected. I, therefore, urge all those who have taken the right decision to be fully vaccinated, to walk into the nearest vaccination site for their booster dose as from tomorrow (Friday).”

    Vaccination Boost
    According to him, while the country’s vaccination drive has faced several bottlenecks including “large-scale misinformation,” Nigeria has recorded some successes.

    “Today, Thursday, December 9th, 2021, 7,361,810 Nigerians have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and this represents 6.6% of the eligible population,” Faisal said.

    “3,846,762 eligible Nigerians have received their second doses and are fully vaccinated against the virus representing 3.4% of the eligible population.”

    Earlier on Thursday, the US said it donated 2.5 million Pfizer vaccine doses to Nigeria, a move expected to further boost the pandemic fight in the country.

    The vaccine doses arrived in Abuja this week and were received by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and taken to cold storage in preparation for distribution, the US Embassy in Nigeria said in a statement.

    “Over the next several weeks,” it added, “the vaccines will be available at major markets, shopping malls, event centres, motor parks, airports, places of employment, and religious institutions as part of Nigeria’s mass vaccination campaign.”

  • NLC urges workers to get COVID-19 vaccination, calls for vaccines access at workplace

    NLC urges workers to get COVID-19 vaccination, calls for vaccines access at workplace

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    President, Nigeria Labour Congress and International Trade Union Confederation, Comrade Ayuba Wabba has urged workers across the country to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccination made available by the Federal Government at the workplace.

    Wabba made this call today in Abuja at a press briefing on The Need for Workers to take the COVID-19 Vaccination. He said that  although some people view the vaccine with caution but  noted that it would be foolhardy to elevate caution above scientific evidence and facts from public health records.

    He said, ” The truth is that despite being imperfect , the COIVID-19 Vaccine has given us a better chance of fighting the virus to stay alive. I urge workers all over the world to take advantage of the VOVID-19 vaccines and keep themselves, their families and their colleagues at work safe and free from the morbid threats of the corona pandemic. The NLC president noted that in the mist of the pandemic ” As at the third week of October, 2022 more than 189,009 health workers across the world had died from COVID-19, adding that the high rate of mortality highlights the sacrifice that Frontline  workers have made in combating and containing the deadly virus amid many workers loosing their jobs and livelihood.

    He noted due to the accelerated scientific efforts, the United States Centres for Disease Control has shown that there was about 63% drop in hospital visitations after the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • FG makes COVID-19 Vaccination compulsory for all Pilgrims to Holy Lands

    FG makes COVID-19 Vaccination compulsory for all Pilgrims to Holy Lands

    …says over 3m Nigerians already vaccinated

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    The Federal Government has made COVID-19 vaccination compulsory for all intending pilgrims to the Holy Lands.
    Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib made this known Tuesday at the Media briefing on COVID-19 vaccination update in the country.

    Shuaib said, “I would like to remind all Nigerians that evidence of vaccination against COVID-19 is now mandatory for all pilgrims to the holy cities of Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem.”

    “I therefore urge adherents of both religions who are planning to perform pilgrimage next year or in the future, to get vaccinated now to avoid any delays.” This is also to bring to our attention, that as the COVID-19 vaccines become available worldwide, some countries have made vaccination a requirement to gain access to their country, he warned.

    In a like manner the ES announced that ” As at 30th August 2021, Nigeria has so far vaccinated 2,897,201 and 1,430,379 eligible persons with 1st and 2nd doses respectively across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”

    Shuaib disclosed that the 2nd phase has commenced across the country adding that the Moderna Vaccine is available in all designated health facilities for those who have not had any vaccination.

    Speaking on the vaccines hesistancy surrounding the COVID-19 in Nigeria, he urged people to convince their loved ones, friends and colleagues on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

    Furthermore the UK government through the COVAX Facility donated to Nigeria an additional 592,880 doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, on Thursday the 26th of August boosting the number of vaccine doses.

    Meanwhile the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo has commended NPHCDA on the Electronic Management of Immunization Data , EMID, to ease registration and profiling of clients, prior to vaccination and/or during vaccination.

    Mulombo noted that the strategy would aid the availability of real-time data for action and showcasing to the global community how COVID-19 response is improving technology for Primary Health Care (PHC) service delivery in Nigeria.

    He said that this is in line with WHO global call for a moratorium on boosters until at least the end of September, to enable at least 10% of the population of every country to be vaccinated.

    The reason for this call is, vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity and if we don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage of this pandemic for years when it could be over in a matter of months, he emphazied.