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Tag: COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Gov Ganduje receives second jab of COVID-19 vaccine

    Gov Ganduje receives second jab of COVID-19 vaccine

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and some top government officials on Thursday received the second jab of Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

    Speaking after he was vaccinated, Ganduje appreciated the state’s health workers, as well as religious and traditional leaders for the success of the vaccination programme.

    He reassured the people that the state government would curb the spread of the COVID-19.

    “I just took my second dose of the vaccine. I am appealing to the people of this state to make themselves available for the vaccine.

    “If you didn’t take the first dose, you are excluded from the second dose.

    “I assure you that this is the beginning of the end of COVID-19 in Kano State,” he said.

    The governor urged the people to continue to abide by the Covid-19 protocol.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ibrahim Tsanyawa, said that so far 3,968 cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the state, 3,896 of which were successfully managed and 110 deaths recorded.

    According to him, out of 209,568 vaccines received by the state government on 10th March, all intended beneficiaries had been covered.

    Tsanyawa said that a large number of residents were responding positively to the vaccine exercise.

  • NAFDAC approves emergency use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

    NAFDAC approves emergency use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday gave Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine the nod for conditional emergency use for Nigerians from 18 years

    Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    She said: “After a thorough evaluation, the NAFDAC vaccine committee concluded that the data on the vaccine were robust and met criteria for efficacy, safety and quality.

    “Thee data also show that the vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks thereby supporting the manufacturer’s recommended use. Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is the third vaccine recommended in Nigeria for preventing COVID-19.

    “The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is administered as a single dose. Results from a clinical trial involving people in the United States, South Africa and Latin American countries found that Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine was effective at preventing COVID-19 in people from 18 years of age.

    “The Phase III clinical trial involved over 44,000 people. Half received a single dose of the vaccine and half were given placebo (a dummy injection). People did not know if they had been given Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine or placebo.

    “The trial found a 67 percent reduction in the number of symptomatic COVID-19 cases after 2 weeks in people who received Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.

    “The most commonly reported side effects were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and nausea. Most of these side effects were mild to moderate in severity and lasted 1-2 days.”

    On safety of the vaccine, the NAFDAC boss added: “In line with the NAFDAC’s Pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring plan for COVID-19 vaccines, Janssen COVID-19 vaccine will be closely monitored and subject to several activities that apply specifically to COVID-19 vaccines.

    “Manufacturers are required to provide monthly safety reports in addition to the regular updates generated by NAFDAC activities. Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine works by preparing the body to defend itself against COVID-19.

    “Unopened vaccine vials can be stored and/or transported frozen at -25°C to – 15°C for up to 24 months and 3 months when stored at 2 to 8°C.

    “The Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency will announce when the vaccine becomes available for use in Nigeria.”

  • What’s the science behind CDC’s decision to say fully vaccinated people don’t need masks?

    What’s the science behind CDC’s decision to say fully vaccinated people don’t need masks?

    A fresh batch of data from a big study of health care workers across the country helped prompt the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to say fully vaccinated people can go without masks in most circumstances, the agency said Friday.

    The study found that real-life use of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines provided 94% protection for the front-line workers immunized at the beginning of the vaccine rollout. A single dose provided 82% protection, the CDC-led team reported in the agency’s weekly report

    It was the findings from the new study, on top of earlier studies, that pushed CDC to decide to loosen its advice on who needs to wear a mask and when, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said.

    “This report provided the most compelling information to date that COVID-19 vaccines were performing as expected in the real world,” Walensky said in a statement Friday.

    “COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death,” CDC says on its new web page describing guidance for the fully vaccinated.

    COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people spreading COVID-19.”

  • WHO Approves China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine

    WHO Approves China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine

    The World Health Organization on Friday approved the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use — the first Chinese jab to receive the WHO’s green light.

    The UN health agency signed off on the two-dose vaccine, which is already being deployed in dozens of countries around the world.

    The WHO has already given emergency use listing to the vaccines being made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and the AstraZeneca jab being produced at separate sites in India and in South Korea.

    “This afternoon, WHO gave emergency use listing to Sinopharm Beijing’s Covid-19 vaccine, making it the sixth vaccine to receive WHO validation for safety, efficacy and quality,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference.

    “The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation, or SAGE, has also reviewed the available data, and recommends the vaccine for adults 18 years and older, with a two-dose schedule.”

    An emergency use listing by the WHO paves the way for countries worldwide to quickly approve and import a vaccine for distribution, especially those states without an international-standard regulator of their own.

    It also opens the door for the jabs to enter the Covax global vaccine-sharing scheme, which aims to provide equitable access to doses around the world and particularly in poorer countries.

    The Sinopharm vaccine is already in use in 42 territories around the world, fourth behind AstraZeneca (166), Pfizer-BioNTech (94), and Moderna (46), according to an AFP tally.

    Besides China, it is being used in Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Hungary, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Peru, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, and Seychelles, among others.

    A clutch of other vaccines are on the road towards WHO emergency use listing, including a second Sinopharm product being made in Wuhan — the city where coronavirus was first detected.

    A decision is expected within days on Sinovac, a second Chinese-made vaccine already being used in 22 countries.

    Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is the next furthest ahead in the process.

    -AFP

  • BREAKING: NAFDAC Approves Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

    BREAKING: NAFDAC Approves Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control  (NAFDAC) has approved the use of Pfizer COVID-19 in Nigeria. 

    NAFDAC’s approval is coming a few months after it gave a nod for the use of the Oxford-Astrazeneca jabs.

    The Director-General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye announced this during a virtual meeting on Friday in Abuja, explaining the vaccine is for emergency use.

    NAFDAC DG during the virtual meeting.

    Earlier in March, Nigeria had received 3.9 million doses of the Astranezeneca jabs and flagged off the vaccination exercise during an event organized by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in Abuja.

    “I think that is about the best news we’ve heard since,” said medical doctor, Ngong Cyprian, the first person to take the vaccine in Nigeria. “I only wished my dad had had this vaccine, maybe months ago or so. We lost him but we thank God, and the fight is still on and we will win.”

    Since the vaccination campaign began, over 600, 000 persons have taken the jab, as the country records a lower number of infections.

  • AstraZeneca Makes $275 Million In Sales From COVID-19 Vaccine

    AstraZeneca Makes $275 Million In Sales From COVID-19 Vaccine

    British pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca reported on Friday $275 million (227 million euros) in sales from its Covid vaccine in the first three months of the year.

    It is the first time that the company discloses figures from sales of one of the world’s leading vaccines.

    AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 jab was developed with the University of Oxford and has been key in Britain’s rapid vaccination drive. The company is selling it at cost price.

    However, public confidence in the jab has taken a blow over worries of links to very rare blood clots, and the company is in a legal fight with the EU over delivery shortfalls.

    The company made the disclosure in an earnings statement showing that net profit doubled in the first quarter to $1.56 billion, compared with $780 million a year earlier.

    Revenue jumped 15 percent — or 11 percent at constant exchange rates — to $7.32 billion in the reporting period.

    Excluding the contribution from the Covid jab, revenues rose by 11 percent — or 7.0 percent at constant rates — to $7.045 billion.

    AstraZeneca added Thursday that its quarterly performance was boosted by strong sales of new cancer drugs.

    The firm cautioned however that the Covid pandemic had a “negative impact” on both the diagnosis and treatment of other conditions aside from Covid.

    “We delivered solid progress in the first quarter of 2021 and continued to advance our portfolio of life-changing medicines,” said chief executive Pascal Soriot in the earnings release.

    “New medicines contributed over half of revenue and all regions delivered encouraging growth,” Soriot said.

    “This performance ensured another quarter of strong revenue and earnings progression, continued profitability, and cash-flow generation, despite the pandemic’s ongoing negative impact on the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions.”

    The results come at the end of a turbulent week after the European Union launched legal action against AstraZeneca over Covid-19 vaccine delivery shortfalls that hampered efforts to kickstart inoculations across the bloc.

    The EU is suing AstraZeneca on the basis of breaches of an advanced purchase agreement, but the firm has dismissed the legal action “without merit” and stated that it will strongly defend itself in court.

    AstraZeneca said it is due to have delivered about 50 million doses to Europe by the end of April, but that is far lower than the amount Brussels insists should have come.

    The commission says overall the firm is set to deliver only a third of the 300 million doses it had promised by June.

    The EU-AstraZeneca court hearing has been set for May 26, a Belgian court said Wednesday.

    AFP

  • Nigeria To Receive 29.8 Million Doses Of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

    Nigeria To Receive 29.8 Million Doses Of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

    The Nigerian government is expecting about 29.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Faisal Shuaib said on Monday.

    Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), disclosed this at the weekly media briefing of the COVID-19 Presidential Steering Committee in Abuja.

    He added that the government signed off to receive the vaccines through the African Union (AU), while vaccine deliveries through the COVAX facility were expected by the end of May or early June.

    The NPHCDA boss noted that by then, Nigeria would have completed the process of administering the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to those who got the first dose.

    He revealed that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has continued discussions with manufacturers to examine their vaccines, in anticipation of emergency use listing from the World Health Organisation.

    Shuaib explained that this was to mitigate the negative concerns about the delayed deliveries of AstraZeneca vaccines, thereby ensuring the sustained supply of vaccines for the smooth continuation of the exercise.

    He noted that as of April 26, a total of 1,173, 869 Nigerians, representing 58.3 per cent of the eligible persons targeted in the first phase have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

    The NPHCDA boss, however, decried the global scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines due to high demand, especially in countries where the vaccines were being produced.

    According to him, the government anticipates a delay in vaccine supply to Nigeria which may also affect and impact the remaining phases of the vaccination exercise.

  • Kaduna Civil Servants reject no-COVID-19 Vaccine no salary instructions

    Kaduna Civil Servants reject no-COVID-19 Vaccine no salary instructions

    .. Threatens court actions

    By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

    Despite directive by Kaduna state government that only civil servants who collect COVID-19 Vaccine would be paid salary, some state government staffs have rejected the move, and boasted that “over their dead body”, they’ll not take the jabs.

    Most of the civil servants who spoke to Saharareporters under anonymity said they preferred their lives more than Money.
    “My life is more important to me than money, said a teacher who gave his only one name as Richard. Others also had this to said “I cannot be force to take the vaccine against my wish. As long as I’m alive, I’ll get another work and money to feed”, others said.

    Three of those who spokes to our reporter however threatened to dragged government to court if it refused to pay them their salary for not taken COVID-19 Vaccine, adding that they cannot be forced on it among others.
    Recalled that a civil servant Hamatu Tango, working in account session of Gwanna Awan General hospital in kaduna South said she suffered dizziness immediately and vomited blood many times through her mouth and nose two days after taken the vaccine based on the government instructions, and was hospitalized two places.

    According to Mrs Tanko she was compelled to take the vaccine at Kaduna South local government Secretariat because of fear that only civil servants that showed paper evidence would be ticked for salary, adding that she took it because she has nobody to help her take care of her and old mother.
    Efforts made to clarify the matter from the media side of Governors el-rufai failed as Mr Muyiwa Adekeye could not respond.

  • COVID-19 Vaccine: Ogun sets up vaccination centre for journalists

    COVID-19 Vaccine: Ogun sets up vaccination centre for journalists

    As frontline workers, journalists in Ogun State will start receiving the Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the NUJ Secretariat, Iwe-Iroyin, Abeokuta.

    A statement by the Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kunle Somorin, said the vaccination for journalists will start on Friday, March 19.

    Somorin noted that Gov Abiodun had decided to treat journalists specially because their profession exposes them so much to the deadly virus.

    He likened pressmen to health workers and security agents, who he said were always on the road when other people stay at home, especially during lockdown.

    However, it was disclosed that only journalists who have registered for the vaccine online would be attended to by health workers, from 10am to 5pm on Friday at Iwe-Iroyin.

    Somorin added that a print out of the online registration details would be required for record purposes.

  • Nigeria needs a COVID-19 vaccine management plan to achieve targets, says Yiaga Africa

    Nigeria needs a COVID-19 vaccine management plan to achieve targets, says Yiaga Africa

    By Mike Oboh

    Yiaga Africa has said for Nigeria to achieve her targets in the fight against COVID 19 pandemic, the country requires developing a detailed plan for vaccine rollout, addressing misinformation on the COVID-19 vaccine, and restoring the people’s confidence in the government.

    According to a release signed by Yiaga Africa Director of Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu, these will directly impact the government’s ability to meet its vaccination targets and effectively combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

    She stated that there is also a need to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector and systems for efficient vaccine introduction, providing accountability and transparency on the management of funds earmarked by and donated to the government to fight the pandemic, adding that there is a need to create avenues for citizen’s participation and public enlightenment and education campaign that will provide adequate information on the vaccine and the importance of curbing the spread of COVID-19.

    She added that after months of waiting, Nigeria has finally received its first batch of nearly 4m COVID-19vaccines via the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility as part of efforts to combat the pandemic which has ravaged the world.

    “The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of the vaccines across the country. It has set a target of vaccinating 40% of the population by the end of 2021 and 70% of Nigeria’s estimated population before the end of 2022. It has also announced that it expects 41 million doses of the vaccine through the African Union, which is sourcing them from manufacturers in India.

    “So far, about a quarter of the vaccines (1.084 million doses) have been distributed to eight states, with Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory accounting for two-thirds of the number distributed and Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa, Cross River, Ondo, and Ekiti states accounting for the remaining one-third,” she stated.

    According to Yiaga, the vaccinations have begun in Lagos, Nasarawa, Ekiti and CrossRiver states and the Federal Capital Territory while the other states have confirmed receipt of the vaccines.

    She however said that there is still little detail about how these vaccination targets will be achieved beyond registration website that provides information on which groups will be given priority.

    The groups include frontline healthcare workers and those who work in high-risk areas like entry points and contact tracing teams, and COVID-19 vaccination teams. This group is followed by security personnel, teachers, and the elderly, especially those with comorbidities – cancer, diabetes, asthma, HIV and AIDS, and immune-compromised patients. The general population then follows after the first two groups.

    As the Government commenced the distribution of the vaccines across the country, it was imperative to ensure Nigeria achieves equitable distribution of the vaccines across the country, emphasizing gender, disability, and social inclusion.

    To this end, Yiaga Africa recent Vaccine Management Policy Brief (Issue 1) discusses amongst other things, the challenges facing the commencement of the vaccination programme and proffers recommendations for improved vaccine management in Nigeria.

    The Policy Brief will be followed by a policy dialogue on the COVID-19 vaccination program in Nigeria especially as new issues emerge.

    This policy brief will be an excellent resource for assisting the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, healthcare policymakers, legislators, and public health experts to manage the COVID-19vaccination program in Nigeria effectively.