Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: COVID-19 Vaccine

  • USAID earmarks $5M for COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria

    USAID earmarks $5M for COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria

    The United States Agency for International Development(USAID) has allocated over $5million additional funds for the promotion of acceptance and uptake of the COVID-19 Vaccines in Nigeria.

    This was revealed at the Breakthrough Action Nigeria’s Work Plan Development Workshop for the fiscal year 2023 by the organization’s Deputy Project Director, Risk Communication, Olayinka Umar-Farouk yesterday.

    USAID said in a statement made available to the media that the funding would enable the organization refine its approaches and address vaccine hesitancy across different states in Nigeria, with key focus on people living with HIV and AIDS, health care workers and persons with co-mobidity illnesses.

    Breakthrough Action Nigeria has been funded by USAID since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 to support risk communication and
    community engagement efforts in Nigeria.

    It further stated that the additional funding would bs in furtherance of the government’s efforts to attain 70% vaccination coverage of all eligible adults by September 2022.

    It said that Breakthrough Action Nigeria has
    So far reached 741,791 persons with COVID-19 messages via mass vaccination activities between November 2021 – March 2022 across FCT, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bauchi, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Kano
    states with 415,376 persons vaccinated through these activities.

    Since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, COVID-19 has affected a total number of 256,415 persons in the country, causing the death of 3,144 persons.

    However, 250,147 lives have been saved, having been treated and discharged from different health facilities across the nation.

  • JUST IN: Greece Donates About One Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses To Nigeria

    JUST IN: Greece Donates About One Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses To Nigeria

    Greece has donated about one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Nigeria as the Federal Government moves to ensure more citizens are vaccinated against the disease.

    A delegation from the European country led by its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikolaos Dendias, announced the donation of the vaccines in Abuja on Monday.

    Dendias made the announcement at a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and other Nigerian government officials.

    He said Nigeria and Greece have enjoyed a favourable bond over the years and that his country was even willing to expand the relationship,

    The Greek minister explained that such an expansion would culminate in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on various issues affecting both countries.

    Onyeama, on his part, said Nigeria has enjoyed a smooth partnership with Greece in the area of defence.

    He said the present administration was willing to expand its partnership with Greece, especially in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure.

  • Buhari Receives COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot

    Buhari Receives COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received a COVID-19 booster shot at the State House in Abuja.

    The Federal Government had commenced the administration of booster shots earlier this month as steps to halt the spread of Omicron, a relatively new variant of the COVID-19 virus.

    “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 at the time of the commencement.

    Persons eligible for the booster dose must be 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.

    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.

  • We have enough COVID-19 vaccines to cover 70% of Nigerians – Boss Mustapha

    We have enough COVID-19 vaccines to cover 70% of Nigerians – Boss Mustapha

    Secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha has said that the country has enough vaccines to cover over 70 percent of its population before the end of 2022.

    Speaking at a national COVID-19 summit tagged ‘Pushing Through the Last Mile to End the Pandemic and Build Back Better’, the SGF stated that vaccines are safe and efficacious.

    Mustapha also revealed that the summit was organized to create an opportunity to identify successes, gaps and lessons learnt so far in Nigeria’s national response to the pandemic since March 2020 to date.

    He further disclosed that strategies to actualise the international commitments towards ending COVID-19 before the end of 2022 will be developed at the summit.

    He said;

    “Today, we are here to assess the level of impact of our national response and develop strategies as we push through the last mile to end the pandemic while we build back better.

    “There is no gainsaying that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, which was triggered when the index case was confirmed on the 27th of February 2020, precipitated significant disruptions to the healthcare system and socio-economic lives of Nigerians.

    ?”Due to the evolving dynamics of COVID-19 pandemic with progressive mutations of the virus to more transmissible and deadly variants, the international community has corroborated the insinuation that the pandemic will persist for few more years.

    “This understanding has impelled world leaders recently to come to a conclusion that if efforts are not renewed and aggressive measures are not taken, COVID-19 pandemic will continue to ravage humanity well longer than earlier envisaged. Hence the need to adopt an ambitious (but cautious) agenda to end the COVID-19 pandemic by the year 2022.

    “Nigeria has invested in enough vaccines that can cover over 70% of our population before the end of 2022. These vaccines are safe and efficacious, hence it is better and safer to be vaccinated against this virus, now.”

    On Nigeria’s commitment to the ambitious global agenda/movement to end the COVID-19 pandemic by 2022 and build back better, Mustapha said;

    “?Global efforts at ending COVID-19 pandemic are intrinsically linked to the call for nations of the world to take steps towards strengthening their health system and bio-security- which will make for better pandemic preparedness and the ability to respond more robustly and swiftly to future pandemics.”

  • WHO tasks health reporters on continuous reportage to tackle COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

    WHO tasks health reporters on continuous reportage to tackle COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

    ..as stakeholder calls for funding to ensure post COVID-19 socio economic recovery

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    The World Health Organization, WHO, Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Walther Molumba has tasked members of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, ANHEJ, not to relent in their continuous reportage to tackle the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria.
    WHO, Head of Communication Unit at the Nigeria Country Office, Ms Charity Warrigon who represented Dr. Molumba made this call today at a 2 Day Annual Conference with the theme: Improving Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccine in Nigeria Beyond 2021: The Role of the Media’ organized by ANHEJ at Auta Ballefi,Nasarawa State.
    While commending the doggedness of health reporters at the break of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria Warrigon said that the conference with the theme, “Improving confidence in COVID-19 Vaccine”. This theme is timely and apt, as it not only speaks to the present, but also to the future of making Nigerians healthier.
    She noted that the pandemic which has affected everyone and every country in a manner unexpected, also came with the challenge of absence of sufficient knowledge to inform development of vaccines as the sciences were limited, which were exploited by mischief makers, through what we call, infodemics.

    She therefore called on the media to be resolute in building and maintaining trust as the profession is one out of a few that have historically been proven to be trusted to provide information that shape the behavior and lives of generations of peoples the world over.
    “The media and journalists are the bridge between scientists and the public. It behoves on every member of the Fourth Realm of the Estate to, as social responsibility, ensure the provision of accurate, timely, credible, understandable, relevant, and actionable information through various communication channels.”

    According to her the Nigerian media and Journalists in the face of challenges have proven to be highly professional by rising to the test of the COVID-19 hesitancy by educating, mobilizing, and creating awareness amongst the populace.
    This she credited to invaluable work done by ANHEJ over the years in help in helping people make informed decisions and positive choices to promote their health.

    We can only improve on what we have achieved so far and even do better, as there is so much to attain in driving confidence in the vaccination effort by building trust and continuously being a trusted and reliable source, she emphasized.
    She called for continuous public remainder that, for the foreseeable future, people must continue to wear masks, physically distance, and avoid crowd. Being vaccinated doesn’t mean that we can throw caution to the wind and put ourselves and others at risk.
    The Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network, AHBN, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba in presentation titled” Nigeria’s COVID-19 Funding and Recovery Plan: The Place of the Media” called for increased budget to ensure recovery from the pandemic which is a multi-faceted and far reaching into our socio-economic fabric which includes social protection programmes, job creation and the building of social infrastructure like roads, access to water/sanitation, and electrification schemes.
    Magashi who was represented by Dr. Obinna Onuoha, the Senior Programme and Partnership Officer of AHBN, said, ” With all efforts underway towards recovery from COVID-19 the Media stands front line and center in ensuring that all Nigerians are well informed with the facts : what findings have been received and from whom, what plans from government are in place to utilize these funds to provide quality health, what are the checks and balances to ensure these dedicated funds offer value for money, what are the steps taken to ensure all concerned parties are held accountable in the disbursement and utilization of these funds, what are the feedback mechanisms from the beneficiaries of these health intervention.
    He stressed that health reporters are entrusted with the responsibility of providing these answers health budget through factual,verified and timely information, adding that every COVID-19 funding and recovery plan touches the lives of all Nigerians.
    He further called on the media to ask questions on recovery plan
    to elicit transparency and mutual accountability.

  • ANHEJ decries low vaccine uptake by Nigerians, says COVID-19 vaccine key to virus prevention

    ANHEJ decries low vaccine uptake by Nigerians, says COVID-19 vaccine key to virus prevention

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Association of Health Journalists of Nigeria, ANHEJ, has decried the low COVID-19 vaccine by Nigerians saying that the vaccines remain key prevention to the virus.

    President of ANHEJ, Mr Hassan Zaggi made this known today at a 2 Day Annual Conference with the theme: ” Improving Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccine in Nigeria Beyond 2021:The Role of the Media” held at Auta Ballefi, Nasarawa State.
    He said,” One of the most important activity we have witnessed is the COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccine drive by countries to ensure everyone is protected from the virus.”

    He charged health reporters to use their various platforms to disseminate credible information by moving out of our comfort zones to unearth issues relating to the well-being of ordinary Nigerians who may not have access to adequate information concerning the coronavirus.
    He lamented that inspite of the Federal Government’s efforts through it’s agencies like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) towards achieving herd immunity against the Corona virus, some enemies of progress are working hard to frustrate this efforts.
    According to him, the media as critical stakeholders in the sector have gathered here, once again, to brainstorm on the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine and the challenge of vaccine hesitancy arising from several factors.

    “Some of these factors include conspiracy theories on the safety of the vaccines, fear of the unknown, false and misinformation on social media platforms amongst others.”

    “This, has, however, led to foot-dragging by most Nigerians to uptake the vaccine despite all sincere efforts by the government.”

    He urged health Journalists to be concerned, adding that if urgent actions are not taken, the federal government’s target to vaccinate 55 million residents of Nigeria by the end of January, 2022, which is 50% of the target population, may not be visible.

    Zaggi blamed Nigerians apathy in the uptake the COVID-19 vaccine on outright lies and falsehood being spread by enemies of the country concerning the vaccine.
    He called on colleagues to finding workable strategies on how health journalists can convince Nigerians to take the COVID-19 vaccines.

    Together with our senior colleagues and development partners, we will explore new approaches to overcome and silent the many falsehood being spread about the COVID-19 vaccine, he assured.
    We must rise up and educate our people in all nooks and crannies to ensure they go to centers nearest to them to take the COVID-19 vaccine, he said.

    He commended the Federal Government for rolling off the mass vaccination campaign, and decentralization of vaccination sites including private health facilities and places of worship to ensure more Nigerians have access to the vaccines.

    We therefore, call on all Nigerians to go out and take the COVID-19 vaccines as it is safe and efficacious. If there was anything contrary, we would have told you, he admonished Nigerians.

  • COVID-19: Kaduna State Govt Set to ban Unvaccinated Civil Servants from Offices

    COVID-19: Kaduna State Govt Set to ban Unvaccinated Civil Servants from Offices

    Kaduna civil servants who are yet to be vaccinated for COVID-19 will from October 31, be denied access to government offices.

    The state government also said that visitors will only be permitted entry upon presentation of evidence of registration with the state Ministry of Health for vaccination, while wearing their facemasks.

    The statement titled ‘Compliance with Covid protocols and vaccination required to access KDSG offices from 31st October 2021,’ signed by the Special Adviser to the Kaduna State Governor on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, reads;

    “As it continues to balance public health considerations and the safe pursuit of livelihoods, the Kaduna State Government is constantly monitoring COVID-19 infections in the state and reviewing the pattern of spread.

    “Based on these reviews, the State Covid-19 Taskforce has advised the government that the risk of mass infection by Covid-19 remains. This necessitates that careful attention must be paid to continued enforcement of preventive measures and encouraging residents of Kaduna State to practice personal responsibility more consistently. This is in line with the FORWARD campaign launched last year to help citizens adopt preventive measures as the state reopened after months of lockdown.

    “The commencement of vaccinations against Covid-19 is the most significant development in the public health space since the virus began its tragic worldwide spread. Thus far, only a minority of Nigerians have been vaccinated against Covid-19 because of supply issues.

    “But there is no such constraint against universal compliance by all residents of Kaduna State with the simple tests outlined in the FORWARD campaign: wear Facemasks, Observe physical distance, practice Respiratory hygiene, Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, Avoid Large gatherings, Remain indoors as much as possible and eat immunity-boosting Diets.

    “The Kaduna State Government will from 31st October 2021 require compliance with Covid-19 protocols, especially facemasks and vaccination, for access to its offices.

    “The Ministry of Health has since commenced the vaccination of all civil servants, and this is expected to be completed by 31st October 2021. All civil servants are required to be vaccinated by that date.

    “Visitors to government offices will need to present their vaccination cards. Given the limited supply of vaccines that are currently available, visitors that have not yet been vaccinated will, in the interim, be permitted entry upon presentation of evidence of registration with the state Ministry of Health for the purpose of vaccination, while wearing their facemasks.

    “Commissioner of Health Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni has announced that residents are encouraged to register at the nearest primary health centre for Covid-19 vaccinations so that the relevant authorities can easily contact them as more Covid-19 vaccines become available.”

  • FG gets tough on compulsory COVID-19 jab for civil servants

    FG gets tough on compulsory COVID-19 jab for civil servants

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    The FederalGovernment has made the COVID-19 jab compulsory for all civil servants in all Federal Government institutions to make the workplace free of COVID-19.

    Executive Director of the National Primary Health Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib today in Abuja at a Media Briefing on COVID-19 update made this announcement said that the Presidential Steering Committee, PSC has directed that all Federal Government employees should make a choice as to how they can contribute to towards making the work environment COVID-19 free.

    He said, ” The logical option is between taking the vaccine and showing evidence of this or presenting a proof that one is COVID-19 free by showing a negative PCR test taken 72hrs prior.”

    According to Shuaib this decision was jointly taken by the PSC and the Federal Ministry of Health not only to protect vulnerable people but to make the workplace safe for all citizens.

    He said, “Clearly, there is loss of productivity and its impact on socio-economic development when workers are unable to come to work on a regular and consistent basis due to outbreaks of an infectious disease such as COVID-19.

    The NPHCDA principal officer gave the assurance of enough vaccines said, “We have enough vaccines to cover more than this population of Federal Government employees and we are expecting even much more.

    “Based on delivery forecasts from the COVAX facility and the African Union, Nigeria will have adequate vaccines to cover more that 50% of eligible populations by the end of the first quarter of 2022.”

    “In order words, please do not worry about the availability of vaccines, we have the supply chain figured out.”

    He noted although some unscrupulous elements would want to get the card and not the jab but disclosed that the agency is working with relevant security agencies to make examples of these individuals who may wish to buy or sell the cards by naming and shaming them.

    We are also enhancing the security features of our vaccination cards in order to limit forgeries, he assured.

    Furthermore the ED revealed that the agency is set to establish mass COVID-19 vaccination sites across the country in places such as Federal institutitions like universities, polytechnics, shopping malls, religious centres, sporting events, market places, etc as a way of commitment to ramp up COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the country .

    He noted that the agency has commenced the process of decentralizing COVID-19 vaccination in the country to include private health care providers as a way of expanding access and increase utilization of vaccines.

    He encourage all eligible Nigerians to avail themselves for vaccination.

  • FG Gives Civil Servants Deadline To Take COVID-19 Vaccine

    FG Gives Civil Servants Deadline To Take COVID-19 Vaccine

    The Federal Government has set a deadline of December 1 for civil servants to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

    Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, announced this at a briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “With effect from 1st December 2021, Federal Government employees shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours to gain access to their offices in all locations within Nigeria and our Missions.

    “An appropriate service-wide advisory/circular will be issued to guide the process,” the SGF said.

    He also revealed that the government has removed South Africa, Brazil, and Turkey from the list of countries where travellers have been restricted from coming into Nigeria as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Mustapha explained that the government took the decision to lift the ban following an emergency meeting held before the briefing.

    He also commended the United Kingdom for reviewing its travel protocols which allowed fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to enter the country without having to self-isolate after their arrival.

    “Over several months, four countries were placed on high-level restriction for travellers from such countries,” the SGF said. “The PSC has after a review of the developments in these countries, decided to remove South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restricted list.

    “As you are aware, the UK has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from 11th October. Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science, and national experience. A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours.”

    He alerted Nigerians on the forthcoming two major religious festivities – Salah and Christmas, noting that there would be increased passenger traffic in and out of the country Similarly and possibly events of large gatherings.

    Mustapha, who said the PSC would escalate surveillance and other control activities, urged the states and all Nigerians to increase their vigilance.

    Read the full text of his briefing below:

    REMARKS OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESIDENTIAL STEERING COMMITTEE ON COVID -19 AT THE NATIONAL BRIEFING ON WEDNESDAY 13TH OCTOBER, 2021

    I welcome you to the National briefing of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 for the 13th October 2021. Today’s briefing, coming after an emergency meeting, will update Nigerians on some key developments.

    2. The briefing today will therefore be focusing on updates from the NCDC, Countries on the restriction list, our relationship with the UAE on Emirates and the vaccines mandate.

    3. Statistics generated over the last four weeks on testing have shown that the trend of infection is going down in some states while in others, the trajectory is upward. The combined total for testing by PCR and RDT now stands at about 3.141, 795 million persons.

    4. The aviation authorities in collaboration with the diplomatic sector have made reasonable progress in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions are still ongoing with the UAE authorities to resolve the impasse.

    The Hon Minister of Aviation today, presented the position of African countries on Vaccine Passport which some economic blocks and countries wish to impose, for travel purposes. This is because African countries have found it difficult to access the vaccines for their citizens in sufficient numbers.

    5. Over several months, four countries were placed on high-level restrictions for travellers from such countries. The PSC has after a review of the developments in these countries, decided to remove South Africa, Turkey, and Brazil from the restricted list.

    6. As you are aware, the UK has eased restrictions on fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria to the UK with effect from 11th October. Nigeria welcomes this development and assures that the PSC shall continue to review Nigeria’s protocols based on global developments, science and national experience. A revised protocol will be issued in the next 24 hours.

    7. With effect from 1st December 2021, Federal Government employees shall be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and our Missions. An appropriate service-wide advisory/circular will be issued to guide the process.

    8. The PSC wishes to put Nigerians on notice that two major religious festivities (Salah and Christmas) are approaching and we shall be experiencing increased passenger traffic in and out of the country. Similarly, events of large gatherings are likely to hold. While the PSC prepares to escalate surveillance and other control activities, we urge the States and all Nigerians to also increase their vigilance and take measures to moderate activities.

    9. I thank you for your patience. The PSC shall be elaborating on all these at our next regular briefing.

  • Over 3.5 Million Pfizer Vaccines Expected From US Govt – FG

    Over 3.5 Million Pfizer Vaccines Expected From US Govt – FG

    The Federal Government on Monday said over 3.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccine are expected from the United States, as part of measures to ensure all Nigerians get vaccinated against the virus.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja, Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said notable progress is being made in the area of vaccines.

    “Over 3.5 million doses of Pfizer are being expected from the US Government this month while about four million doses of AstraZeneca are being expected early next month,” he said.

    “Nigeria will be receiving over one million doses of Johnson and Johnson (J&J) shipments on a monthly basis. The PSC is committed to accessing enough vaccines for the 70% eligible persons in the country in record time.”

    Mustapha said the PSC has taken note of the challenges raised by travellers who visit the National International Travel Portal in compliance with travel protocols.

    He lamented that some airport staff were not diligent in the discharge of their duties with respect to the quarantine procedure.

    According to him, the PSC “has similarly noted with dismay, fraudulent activities perpetrated at our international airports by on-duty staff, who extort money out of those who equally wish to evade quarantine requirement.”

    Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, explained that the authorities are conducting the necessary investigations into various reports received.

    He added, “On the United Kingdom advisory on COVID-19 vaccines and changes to international travel rules, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria has stated that the UK government, of course, supports the vaccination programme in the country with vaccines irrespective of where they were manufactured.

    “They will, however, open up international travels using a standardised COVID-19 vaccination certification process, to allow for ease of travels from countries – Nigeria inclusive.”