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Tag: COVID-19 Vaccine

  • COVID-19: Edo Moves To Stop Unvaccinated Doctors From Treating Patients

    COVID-19: Edo Moves To Stop Unvaccinated Doctors From Treating Patients

    The Edo State Government has said from next week, unvaccinated doctors will be denied access to their patients.

    The Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa, who disclosed this during COVID-19 briefing in Benin City, the state capital, said teachers who have not been vaccinated would also not be allowed to go into classrooms.

    He said other public servants in the state who are yet to be vaccinated would not be allowed to access government offices.

    He said the state has recorded 49 new cases with three deaths within 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths in the third wave to 33.

    He said government is worried that many people are not interested in taking the vaccines and moving freely without adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

    “Government has reached a decision that unvaccinated persons will not access banks, worship and event centers, it will expire middle of this month.

    “So, teachers would not be allowed to enter schools’ premises because we don’t want our children to be infected.

    “Doctors, nurses and other health workers will not be allowed to attend to patients and likewise other civil servants and those coming to do business in government’s offices across the state”

    He further disclosed that about 93,000 persons have been vaccinated, representing two percent of the 4.6 million population of the state.

    “Our target is to move from two percent to 10 percent and 40 percent by year end. But our overall target is 60 percent translating to between 2.5 and 3 million population”

    He urged residents to take the vaccines and adhere to safety protocols, noting that it would save the government from unnecessary cost and reduced mortality associated with COVID-19.

  • Edo Receives 76,712 Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine

    Edo Receives 76,712 Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine

    The Edo State Government has received 76,712 doses of coronavirus vaccine from the federal government.

    Health Educator, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ESPHDA), Mrs Irene Uabor, disclosed this at the weekend in Benin.

    He said the vaccine include 65,016 doses of Moderna and 11,696 doses of AstraZeneca.

    She said the state government was set to commence the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination.

    She advised residents to get inoculated against the deadly virus, assuring that the vaccines were safe, free and effective.

  • FG Receives 177,600 Doses Of J&J Covid-19 Vaccine

    FG Receives 177,600 Doses Of J&J Covid-19 Vaccine

    The Federal Government on Thursday took delivery of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

    The single-shot J&J vaccine was acquired through the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), with support from Afrexim bank.

    According to the Africa Centre for Disease Control, the vaccines were partly manufactured in Africa.

    The vaccines are expected to be deployed in hard-to-reach areas, to eliminate the need for travel for a second dose.

    More of the J&J vaccines are expected in the country. Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said on Thursday Nigeria has procured nearly 40 million doses of the vaccine through AVAT.

    Nigeria is expected to step up its Covid vaccination program after receiving over four million doses of the Moderna vaccine from the US government last week.

    Only about one percent of the population has been vaccinated, so far.

    The second phase of the national vaccination programme is expected to kick-off next Monday.

  • Second Phase Of COVID-19 Vaccination To Begin August 16 – NPHCDA

    Second Phase Of COVID-19 Vaccination To Begin August 16 – NPHCDA

    After one postponement, Nigeria is now scheduled to commence the second phase of its COVID-19 vaccination programme on August 16.

    This is according to the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib.

    The Federal Government had earlier scheduled the exercise to begin on Tuesday, but it was postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to a spokesperson in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey.

    Speaking to Channels Television on Monday, Dr Shuaib suggested the postponement had been necessary for preparations to be finalised.

    “The start date for the vaccination has been postponed to next week Monday,” he said.

    “This is to enable NAFDAC finish its assessment and preparatory processes.”

    The second phase of the vaccination programme was breathed into life after the US donated over four million doses of the Moderna vaccine.

    Only about one percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, so far.

    On Sunday, Nigeria recorded 471 fresh cases of the novel coronavirus as resident doctors across the country continue to strike over unpaid benefits.

    The new cases were reported on Sunday from 13 states, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Nigeria has recently seen an uptick in new cases of COVID-19 as fears of a third wave continues to loom.

    To prepare for the surge in new cases, the government has advised Nigerians to adhere to health protocols such as wearing of masks and social distancing, especially in indoor settings.

  • NPHCDA dispels social media misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination magnetic effects

    NPHCDA dispels social media misinformation about COVID-19 vaccination magnetic effects

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    The Primary Health Care Agency, NPHCD, the agency responsible for vaccinations in Nigeria has finally dispelled all viral social media misinformation about the ongoing COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in Nigeria.

    Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib at the Weekly Media briefing on progress of COVID-19 vaccination in the country on Tuesday dispelled all social media misinformation targeted at discouraging the vaccination which he said is safe for individuals.

    Shuaib said, “As you may already be aware, we are witnessing an increasing wave of COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation that should leave any patriotic Nigerian wondering how long mischief makers want the world to remain in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic itself.”

    “The creativity with which some people misinform others and spread misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccination calls for more deliberate, decisive, and consistent steps to counter as well as provide correct and accurate information that will help more people to make informed decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19.”

    He decried the extent at which the right of

    the public to true and accurate information on matters of COVID- 19 vaccination is being threatened by just a few others who are taking advantage of the social media to mislead people about their health.

    The agency condemned the manner in which anti- vaccination elements come up with magnetic conspiracy deceiving the public with videos that COVID-19 vaccines create magnetic field around vaccination sites and can cause the body to light up an electric bulb .

    He said that it is unfortunate vulnerable people believe the the ridiculous conspiracy theory and are taking the risks of avoiding COVID-19 vaccination.

    The agency showed the media a a practical demonstration to dispel the conspiracy magnetic and lighting bulb theories surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.

    It is necessary to confront the false theories for Nigeria and world to kick out the pandemic and recover from its adversities, he said.

    The agency further dispelled false theories that the vaccines are being used to depopulate Africa, and that anyone who takes the vaccine will die after two years among others.

    The agency compared the COVID-19 vaccine to the polio which was misinformed to cause death of children but that after many years children who took the polio vaccines are still alive and have grown into adults.

    On the success recorded so far about the vaccination in the county, Shuaib said that presently ,495,632 people have been vaccinated with the first dose, while 1,370,130 have received their second dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria, adding that overall, Nigeria has successfully utilized 3.9M doses, representing 96% of the 4,024,000 doses of the vaccines received in the country.

    The UNICEF Country Representative, Dr. Gupta Gangan commended the leadership of NPHCDA for the success far in the vaccination of Nigerians despite the negative mis- information in the social media to create doubts about the COVID- 19 vaccines.

  • COVID-19 vaccine: FCT minister takes second jab, urges residents to take second dose

    COVID-19 vaccine: FCT minister takes second jab, urges residents to take second dose

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Malam Muhammad Musa Bello yesterday  received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, at the Area 11 office of the FCTA as he urged residents to follow suit.

     Also taking their second shots alongside the Minister were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Ag Secretary of the Health and Human Services Secretariat Dr Muhammed Kawu and other staff of the FCTA.

    Speaking after his vaccination, the Minister recalled that he took the first jab on Thursday, the 11th of March, 2021 and was now due to receive the second dose of the vaccine as prescribed by the public health officials.

    He noted that  98% of the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine allocated to the Territory have been utilized and commended residents of the FCT for their response to the vaccination efforts of the government.

    He called on all those who are yet to be vaccinated to do same as he said that  it was only through vaccination that herd immunity can be achieved. 

    The Minister said, “Whatever, support  the Federal Government is giving to us in the FCT, let’s grab it and use it effectively because, unless we get a substantial percentage of our population fully vaccinated, then we will not reach what the public health officials call herd immunity whereby we can say that the incidence of this particular disease has been conquered.”

    He expressed happiness that while the number of positive cases in the FCT has been on a steady decline, in spite of the large number of residents being tested, residents must not be complacent but should continue to take measures to protect themselves against the virus.

    The Minister also assured that the FCT Administration will continue to work hard to ensure that every resident is protected against COVID-19, with the efforts of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat.

    He thereafter called on officials of the HHSS to continue to work to maintain all the facilities that have been established and installed for the purpose of the pandemic, to ensure that the FCT is fully prepared for any unforeseen event.

    Present at the vaccination centre were officials of the WHO, NCDC, UNICEF and other staff of the FCTA.

  • WHO Validates China’s COVID-19 Vaccine, Sinovac, For Emergency Use

    WHO Validates China’s COVID-19 Vaccine, Sinovac, For Emergency Use

    World Health Organisation (WHO) has validated the Sinovac-CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.

    WHO, in a statement, said that the validation gives countries, funders, procuring agencies and communities the assurance that it meets international standards for safety, efficacy and manufacturing.

    Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine is produced by the Beijing-based pharmaceutical company, Sinovac.

    WHO has earlier listed the Pfizer/BioNTech, Astrazeneca-SK Bio, Serum Institute of India, Astra Zeneca EU, Janssen, Moderna and Sinopharm vaccines for emergency use.

    The statement quoted Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Health Products, as saying, “The world desperately needs multiple COVID-19 vaccines to address the huge access inequity across the globe.

    “We urge manufacturers to participate in the COVAX Facility, share their knowhow and data and contribute to bringing the pandemic under control.”

    WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) is a prerequisite for COVAX Facility vaccine supply and international procurement. It also allows countries to expedite their own regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines.

    The EUL assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as risk management plans and programmatic suitability, such as cold chain requirements.

    The assessment is performed by the product evaluation group, composed by regulatory experts from around the world and a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), in charge of performing the risk-benefit assessment for an independent recommendation on whether a vaccine can be listed for emergency use and, if so, under which conditions.

    In the case of the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, the WHO assessment included on-site inspections of the production facility.

    The Sinovac-CoronaVac product is an inactivated vaccine. Its easy storage requirements make it manageable and particularly suitable for low-resource settings.

    WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) has also completed its review of the vaccine.

    On the basis of available evidence, WHO recommends the vaccine for use in adults 18 years and older, in a two-dose schedule with a spacing of two to four weeks.

    Vaccine efficacy results show that the vaccine prevents symptomatic disease in 51 per cent of those vaccinated and prevents severe COVID-19 and hospitalisation in 100 per cent of the studied population. 

  • Obaseki Flags Off COVID-19 Second Dose Vaccination In Edo

    Obaseki Flags Off COVID-19 Second Dose Vaccination In Edo

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday flagged off his state’s second dose vaccination exercise against coronavirus disease, urging those who took the first dose to make themselves available for the booster dose meant to provide full protection against the virus.

    Governor Obaseki flagged off the exercise at the State Secretariat Complex, along Sapele Road, Benin City.

    “It is with great pleasure that I announce the launch of our campaign to rid our state of the dreaded coronavirus. The virus has changed the way we live and interact with one another globally,” he said.

    “It is heartwarming today that we continue with our gradual return to our normal lives with the commencement of the second dose coronavirus vaccination. With this, we hope for brighter days ahead as we collectively fight to defeat the virus.

    “The second dose vaccination exercise commences today, June 1, and will last for 40 days, during which period we intend to get the vaccines to our people, including frontline workers who are 18 years and above across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.”

    Obaseki said the second dose is a booster dose which will provide full protection against the coronavirus disease, adding: “The flag off is important to create awareness in the state and boost public confidence in the safety and efficiency of the vaccines.”

    “I took the first dose. Despite all the fears expressed, nothing happened. I am here today to flag off the second dose vaccination. Unfortunately, I can’t take my second dose today because the time scheduled for me is not due. I will be due for the second dose on the 12th of June. However, some people have earlier dates. That is why the programme is launched today. I will take my second dose on the 12th of June and you will be invited to know the importance of the vaccination.”

    Noting that the vaccines will be rolled out in phases, the governor said the first phase is being administered to frontline workers, strategic leaders and the elderly.

    He explained that the second and third phases will follow and the rest of the eligible population will take turns to be vaccinated, adding that the goal of his administration is to vaccinate about 70 percent of the population.

    Obaseki added, “For those who have not been vaccinated, it is important to take the vaccine because, by the end of June, it might be almost impossible to travel around the world without a vaccination certificate.

    “Government alone can’t fix this pandemic. We must all play our part by adhering to COVID 19 protocol to enable us to protect our loved ones, even after taking the second dose of the vaccines.”

    Governor Obaseki seized the opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his support and role played in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that different stakeholders, particularly development partners, worked in synergy with the Edo State Government in ridding the state of the virus.

    He stated further, “We have vaccinated 38,500 people in the first phase of the first dose vaccination exercise. We are expecting that 38,500 people will come forward for their second dose. It is only then that you will have full immunization.”

  • Governor Lalong Takes Second Covid-19 Jab

    Governor Lalong Takes Second Covid-19 Jab

    Governor Simon Bako Lalong has received the second jab of the COVID-19 Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine with a call to citizens of the State to make themselves available for the exercise. 

    Governor Simon Lalong who received the vaccine at the Government House Rayfield alongside his wife Regina and other Government officials said the fears earlier expressed by some citizens on the safety of the vaccines have not been proved as so far, no adverse effect has been recorded among those who took the first dose. 

    After receiving the vaccine administered by his personal physician Dr. Benjamin Dashat, called on all those who took the first instalment to make themselves available for the second phase in order to complete the cycle. 

    For those who are yet to take the vaccine, the Governor advised them to jettison conspiracy theories as the vaccines have been scrutinised by regulatory authorities and adjudged to be safe. 

    The Governor used the opportunity to appreciate health workers who have done their best to respond to the pandemic with many of them paying the supreme prize. 

  • Buhari Takes Second Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine

    Buhari Takes Second Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine

    President Muhammadu Buhari has received his second dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

    The President took the shot at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The second dose is being administered exactly 12 weeks after the first shot was taken on March 6.

    The President’s innoculation was done by the Chief Personal Physician to the President, Dr. Suhayb Rafindadi Sanusi after which he was presented with the e-vaccination card by the executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib.

    More Details later…