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  • 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 National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says Nigeria will receive 29.8 million doses of Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine.

    The NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr Faisal Shuaib made this public on Monday during the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja.

    “The Federal Government has signed off to receive up to 29.8 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines through the African Union platform,” he said.

    Shuaib said the country was also expecting deliveries of vaccines through the COVAX facility by the end of May or early June.

    ”By this time, the country would have completed the process of administering the second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines already on ground.

    “Having received 3.94 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines in early March, Nigeria commenced vaccination beginning with healthcare workers,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the NPHCDA boss, said vaccination against COVID-19 was still ongoing in all states of the Federation.

    He said the country had vaccinated 1,175,285 eligible Nigerians as of April 26, adding that the figure represented 58.4 per cent of people eligible to receive the vaccines.

    “Our collaboration with health officials and other stakeholders at the national, state, LGA and community levels in the vaccination exercise has yielded substantial result,” the NPHCDA executive secretary said.

    Shauib said that the government was aware of the global scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines due to high demands.

    He said the scarcity would affect the remaining phases of the vaccination campaign in the country.

    “We are aware of the global scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines due to high demands especially in countries where vaccines are being produced.

    “We therefore anticipate a delay in vaccine supply to Nigeria which may also affect and impact the remaining phases of the vaccination campaign.,” he explained.

    The Federal Government plans to vaccinate 109 million people against COVID-19 virus over a period of two years.

    It reports that only eligible population from 18 years and above will be vaccinated in four phases.

    Meanwhile, the J&J COVID-19 single-dose vaccine is compatible with standard vaccine storage and distribution channels with ease of delivery to remote areas.

    The vaccine is estimated to remain stable for two years at -4°F (-20°C), and a maximum of three months at routine refrigeration temperatures of 36-46°F (2 to 8°C).

    The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration recently approved the suspension of administering the J&J vaccine over six reported U.S. cases of a “rare and severe” type of blood clot.

    According to a joint statement on Tuesday from Anne Schuchat, CDC Principal Deputy Director and Peter Marks, FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director, the six cases occurred among women aged between 18 and 48, while symptoms occurred within six to 13 days after vaccination.

    The suspension was however lifted on the J&J COVID-19 vaccines after 10 days, but with a directive that a warning label should printed on it about the potential for extremely rare blood clots.

    The European regulators in April also linked similar, highly unusual blood clots to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 shot, but found the benefits of the drug outweighed any risks.

  • No fewer than 1.13m AstraZeneca shots administered – NPHCDA

    No fewer than 1.13m AstraZeneca shots administered – NPHCDA

    No fewer than 1.13 million shots of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) made this known on its official Twitter handle on Wednesday.

    “As of April 21, 1, 133, 325 representing 56.3 per cent of the eligible persons targeted with the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered with their first dose in this vaccination phase,” it said.

    The agency said that Lagos state topped the list by 218, 174 shots while Kano, administered 59,040.

    It is followed by Kaduna – 58, 026 , Ogun – 53,314 and the FCT 52,348 .

    The NPHCDA said those who have received their first shot, include health workers, frontline workers including; security agents, ports of entry staff, judiciary, petrol station workers, contingency workers and strategic leaders.

    It noted that some of the states went a step further to vaccinate willing pensioners, people aged 70 and above, teachers and journalists during the same period.

    The agency said that Lagos state was the only state that inoculated more than 200,000 residents during this first phase of vaccination in the country.

    The NPHCDA stated that states with lower inoculation are Bayelsa with 10, 751, Ebonyi – 9567 and Taraba- 9,334.

    It added that the Federal Government has directed states not to exceed the 50 per cent utilisation of the vaccines, to allow for a second dose to those who have taken their first.

    “The remaining 50 per cent reserved at the agency’s cold chain store will be administered eight to 12 weeks from the date of the first doses.

    “We have been careful to ensure that only those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the current phase are being vaccinated,” it said.

    Meanwhile, the agency advised Nigerians to check their vaccination cards for their next appointment dates and where possible to try to go to the same health facilities where they got their initial dose for their second dose.

    It added that people who have received the first dose should not pre-register before going to the health facility for the second dose because they have already been capture.

    NAN report that Nigeria began COVID-19 vaccination on March 5 after receiving 3.94 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX, a UN-backed effort that promises access to free vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries’ population.

    The country has received another 300,000 doses of the Astrazeneca vaccine from telecom giant, MTN and 100,000 doses of Covishield COVID-19 vaccines from the India government.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government said the global scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines may delay the administration of the second dose.

    It said :’there is a global scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines due to high demand, especially in countries where they are being produced.

    “For this reason, we anticipate a delay in vaccine supply to Nigeria,” it said

  • COVID-19: FG reaffirms commitment to vacinate all eligible Nigerians

    COVID-19: FG reaffirms commitment to vacinate all eligible Nigerians

    The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Friday reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to get every eligible Nigerian vaccinated against COVID-19.

    Mr Bawa Abba, National Supervisor for Adamawa COVID-19 Vaccination, NPHCDA, spoke in Yola, Adamawa, on the sideline of a three-day “Media Dialogue On Routine Immunisation, Post Polio Certification and COVID-19 Vaccination”.

    The meeting was organised by The Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in collaboration with the UNICEF.

    According to Abba, while the FG is putting efforts to make COVID-19 vaccines available and ensure that Nigerians get vaccinated, no fewer than two million Nigerians have so far been vaccinated accross states and the Federal Capital Territory with the Astrazeneca vaccine.

    However, he noted that the official server of the NPHCDA may put the figure at 1,051, 096, as at Thursday April 15, 2021 but that the current number of eligible vaccinated persons with the facility have crossed two million.

    ”We have two sources of data. We have the call in-data which is data that we received at the facility level.

    “We have the one in the NPHCDA server. We are working on uploading the remaining data from the facility levels.

    “These are raw data from the field that has not been processed. The difference is currently being processed,” he said.

    He further disclosed that states that have covered 50 per cent of their populations have been directed to halt vaccination (stop) at the moment.

    “This is to ensure vaccine availability for those who are required to take the second dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine, also adding that, government was currently giving priority to intending pilgrims,” he said.

    According to him, without receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, an intending pilgrim will not be allowed to go for pilgrimage.

    “And if you are given a brand of vaccine that we don’t have in Nigeria, it might really be a problem when you come to Nigeria.”

    Abba also noted that whenever the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine comes into the country, it would complement the AstraZeneca vaccine.

    On the suspension of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by the U.S. Abba said that there were always side effects which varied from person to person for every vaccine or drug administered on people.

    He said that from NPHCDC observation so far, the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine, had picked up in spite initial hesitance to the vaccine by members of the public.

  • COVID-19: NPHCDA reveals two states with lowest vaccinated population in Nigeria

    COVID-19: NPHCDA reveals two states with lowest vaccinated population in Nigeria

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says the states of Abia and Taraba have the lowest number of vaccinated people so far in the country.

    According to it, no fewer than 800,000 people have been vaccinated in Nigeria.

    The NPHCDA made the disclosure on its official Twitter handle on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Nigeria kicked off vaccination on March 5, 2021. The country commenced vaccination with healthcare workers who are mostly at risk to the infections being the first responders.

    The NPHCDA said,“As of Thursday evening, 818,865 eligible Nigerians have been vaccinated.

    “The states with the lowest number of vaccinated people are Abia with 1,874 and Taraba with 2,760 people vaccinated so far.”

    The NPHCDA said that Lagos Sate had vaccinated 152,261 people, making it the highest in the country.

    It noted that it was followed by Ogun with 51,608, Kaduna – 49, 759, Kano-39,818, Katsina- 38,476 and Bauchi- 34,795 persons.

    The agency stated that the proportion of eligible people vaccinated in the country was 40.7 per cent as of April 1.

    The agency, however, said the nation plans to vaccinate 109 million people against the COVID-19 virus over a period of two years.

    NAN recalls that the COVID-19 vaccination has commenced in all states across the country except for Kogi, which is yet to receive doses for the vaccines.

    Kogi, which has reported only five cases since the onset of the pandemic was not supplied with doses of the vaccines due to lack of storage facility.

    The country received over 3.94 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines through COVAX, a UN-backed effort, that promises access to vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries population

    The country also received another 300,000 doses of the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccines from telecom giant, MTN, as part of the latter’s contribution to Africa.

  • BREAKING: First batch of AstraZeneca vaccines arrives in Nigeria

    BREAKING: First batch of AstraZeneca vaccines arrives in Nigeria

    The first batch of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is about 3,924,000 doses, has arrived in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the COVID-19 vaccine arrived in the country via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    A small ceremony chaired by Boss Mustapha, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 is currently being held at the VIP Protocol section of the airport to receive the vaccine.

    ALSO READ || How to register and receive early COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria

    Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib had said at the end of the ceremony, a few vials of the vaccines would be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    TNG reports NAFDAC is expected to analyze the vaccine over a period of two days, i.e. Wednesday March 3rd and Thursday March 4th.

    Further to the clearance by NAFDAC, the PTF, NPHCDA, the federal ministry of health and strategic leaders will be at the treatment center of the National Hospital on Friday March 5th 2021, where the first vaccination site will be set up to commence the vaccination of the frontline health workers and support staff.

    According to the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, on Monday March 8th 2021, more vaccination sites would have been set up at designated locations such as National Assembly clinic, State House clinic and Federal medical centre, Jabi where strategic leaders such as the SGF, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Attorney General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, the Ministers and Ministers of States, Senators, House of Representatives, traditional leaders and religious leaders would be vaccinated.

    “After this launch and initial roll-out phase, Vaccine distribution to the States for the phase 1 vaccination process will begin. This phase is the vaccination of all frontline health workers, their supporting staff and strategic leaders.

    “Deployment of vaccines to the States would be based on the assessment of their level of preparedness. Some of the parameters that would be used for the assessment include adequate maintenance of their cold chain storage facilities, adequate preparation for logistic transportation to the ward/ health facility, adequate security in place during transportation and at vaccination sites, completion of training of health workers, efficient social mobilization activities in place, adherence to protocol for vaccine deployment.

    “Working with CACOVID, plans are on ground for a cargo plane provided by them to transport the vaccines to the States by air. States without a functional airport will have their vaccines transported by road using vans with fitted Cold Cabins, from the nearest airport. The vaccines will be stored at the State Cold Stores, from where they will be transported by road to LGA Cold Stores

    “Once activities have commenced in the States, there would be strict monitoring by PTF, FMOH, NPHCDA and independent bodies such as EFCC, DSS, ICPC, and Civil Society Organizations.

    “States/health facilities/health workers that are identified as defaulting from the standard protocol and guidelines for this phase of vaccination would be sanctioned.

    “While this is ongoing, the National team would be ready for the arrival of the next batch of vaccines which would be used for the next phase of vaccination.

    “Phase 2 vaccination process involves vaccination of the elderly from 50 years and above. This has been sub grouped into 2, with the vaccination of 60 and above occurring first followed by 50 — 59years. This will occur across all 36 States and the FCT. Those who are eligible for vaccination that have not registered electronically, would be assisted at the designated health facility and would be vaccinated.

    “The phase 3 vaccination process involves vaccination of those between 18 — 49years with co-morbidities (such as hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, other heart disease, liver or renal disease, etc). Individuals at ages 50 and above with co-morbidities would already have been Immunized within their age group.

    “The phase 4 vaccination process would involve vaccination of the rest of the eligible population between the ages 18 — 49years. It is worthy to note that at each phase of vaccination, the level of preparedness of the States are assessed before vaccines are deployed and accountability measures have been put in place to ensure strict compliance to the vaccination process. Pregnant women will be evaluated by their health providers to weigh the benefit versus risk, before a decision is taken to vaccinate them,” Dr Shuaib said at a press briefing on Monday.

    The NPHCDA Executive Director urged all eligible Nigerians aged 18 years and above to be patient, saying they will eventually be vaccinated.

    “As the vaccines arrive in batches due to limited supply we will inform Nigerians about who and where to receive the vaccine.

    “A comprehensive and transparent roll-out plan that involves public vaccination of President Muhammadu Buhari and other important dignitaries and stakeholders has been developed,” Dr Shuaib added.

  • How to register and receive early COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria

    How to register and receive early COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria

    As Nigeria sets to take delivery of 3.92 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, the federal government (FG) has launched an e-registration portal for COVID-19 vaccination.

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) launched the e-registration platform for electronic management of the COVID-19 vaccination on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the registration platform is powered by the Federal Ministry of Health for the electronic management of immunization data (EMID).

    The portal captures data and schedules individuals for COVID-19 vaccination, with a promise that registering on the platform will make vaccination easier and faster.

    The portal contains functionalities to retrieve COVID-19 vaccination certificates by the use of PreVac/Vaccination Number. Individuals can also check their vaccination schedule on the portal as well.

    As commencement of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria draws closer, the NPHCDA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health launched the EMID system in Abuja under the T.E.A.C.H Strategy for COVID-19 vaccination.

    TNG reports T.E.A.C.H. is an acronym for a 5-point strategy developed by the vaccination implementing arm of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NPHCDA.

    The acronym is used for T: Traditional Vaccination Campaign Approach; E: Electronic Self-Registration by Eligible Nigerians; A: Assisted Electronic Registration of Eligible Nigerians; C: Concomitant Vaccination alongside Electronic Registration and H: House-to-House Electronic Registration.

    In less than 24 hours, the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines will arrive in Nigeria from the COVAX Facility and will be deployed to first vaccinate strategic leaders and critical frontline health care workers, who are providing essential care.

    Others prioritised to first receive the COVID-19 vaccine are military personnel, police officers, oil and gas workers, and Nigerians at border posts.

    “Our goal is to introduce COVID-19 vaccine in a phased and equitable manner, based on advice of the WHO and the experience we observe other countries to have made, and ultimately vaccinating all eligible Nigerians within the next 2 years, to ensure herd immunity,” Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health said.

    To register and stand the chances of receiving early COVID-19 vaccination, click here.

  • Nigeria has enough capacity for COVID-19 vaccine storage – NPHCDA boss

    Nigeria has enough capacity for COVID-19 vaccine storage – NPHCDA boss

    The Executive Director/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, said on Monday that the country has adequate storage capacity for COVID-19 vaccines, especially for the first 100,000 doses expected from Pfizer in a few days.

    He said, “We have developed a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination plan. We have also developed an operational manual to role out the vaccines when they come. We encourage Nigerians to get vaccinated when vaccines become accessible because the benefits of the vaccines far outweighs the potential side effects.

    “I want to reiterate that the first set of vaccines expected in the country is the Pfizer BioNTech mRNA vaccine, and the equipment that is required to store them is the ultra cold chain. Equipment for the storage of the vaccines are available at the National Strategic Cold Store of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency in airport road, FCT.

    “Those Ultra cold chain equipment are available, and we have over 2,100 litres capacity. Requirement for the 100,000 Pfizer vaccines that will be coming by the end of January or early February is 500 litres. So we have more than enough capacity for 100,000 doses, and in particular reference to those reports that claim that we are going to waste the 100,000 doses because we do not have any ultra cold chain equipment. “

  • FG announces distribution plan for COVID-19 vaccine

    FG announces distribution plan for COVID-19 vaccine

    The federal government has announced a distribution plan for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine in the country.

    The announcement was made through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

    According to NPHCDA, the rate of infection in each State of the federation would be the criterion used in the distribution.

    The agency revealed the plan alongside the publication of the latest infection rates for the disease by the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) on its verified website on Saturday.

    NCDC said it recorded 1, 585 new infections of the deadly Coronavirus with additional eight coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours.

    The centre stated that the country’s COVID-19 infections increased from 97,478 on Jan.8 to 99,063 on Saturday, indicating 1,585 new infections, and with eight additional COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24 hours.

    Based on the rate of infection in the States, the distribution list of the COVID-19 vaccine indicated that Kano State will receive 3,557; Lagos, 3,131; Katsina, 2,361; Kaduna, 2,074; Bauchi, 1,900; Oyo, 1,848; Rivers, 1,766; Jigawa, 1,712; Niger, 1,558; Ogun, 1,473; Sokoto, 1,468; Benue, 1,423; Borno, 1,416; Anambra, 1,379; Zamfara, 1,336; and Delta, 1,306.

    Others were: Kebbi, 1,268; Imo, 1,267; Ondo, 1,228; Akwa Ibom, 1,161.Adamawa, 1,129; Edo, 1,104; Plateau, 1,089; Enugu, 1,088; Osun, 1,032; Kogi, 1,030; Cross River, 1,023; Abia, 955; Gombe, 908; Yobe, 842; Ekiti, 830; Taraba, 830; Kwara, 815; Ebonyi, 747; Bayelsa, 589; FCT, 695; Nasarawa, 661.

    The NPHCDA said that though all of the states were getting less than 4,000 vaccines from the first batch, the federal government had advised that frontline workers, like those in the health and security sectors, be given priority, as well as the elderly.

    The agency said that the vaccine, expected to be administered in January and February, would be done in compliance with WHO standards.

    The government was targeting administering the vaccine on 40 per cent of Nigerians during the first batch this year, the agency said, pointing out that 30 per cent were expected to be done in 2022.

    The agency also said the federal government was also sourcing for vaccines from other countries like Russia.

    Meanwhile, NCDC’s data had indicated that a total of 865 patients had recovered and were discharged from various isolation centres in the country.

    “Our discharges today include 419 community recoveries in Lagos State, 123 community recoveries in Gombe State and 117 community recoveries in Plateau State managed in line with guidelines,” It said.

    NCDC said that the new infections it recorded on Saturday were reported from 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory. saying that Lagos State still recorded the highest figure of the day with 573 infections.

    Others were: FCT-182, Plateau-162, Gombe-81, Oyo-75, Rivers-68, Sokoto-58, Ondo-55, Ogun-42, Nasarawa-40, Akwa Ibom-36, Edo-31, Kaduna-27, Anambra-22, Delta-19, Kano-17, Osun-17, Ebonyi-16, Katsina-14, Niger-14, Bayelsa-nine, Ekiti-eight, Borno-seven Jigawa-five, Abia-four and Bauchi-three.

    The NCDC also revealed that it had conducted no fewer than 1,018,061 tests since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in the country, while a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated at Level 3, had continued to coordinate national response activities across the country.

  • FG secures first batch of COVID-19 vaccines for health workers

    FG secures first batch of COVID-19 vaccines for health workers

    The federal government has secured the first batch of 100,000 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines for frontline healthcare workers in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) made this known on Friday.

    Dr Shuaib said the 100,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are expected in the country by the end of January, 2021.

    He also said millions of other doses that will cover 20% of the Nigerian population will come in March.

    Speaking live on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Good Morning Nigeria show, the ED of the NPHCDA also said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) will, irrespective of other foreign certifications, carry out due diligence and certify the vaccines good enough before they would be used.

    “100,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are expected in the country by the end of January, 2021.

    “We are prioritising our health workers. When the vaccine arrives, 100,000 will go to the front line workers.

    “The first batch of 100,000 will be here in January. Millions of other doses that will cover 20% of the population will come in March.

    “Our focus is to get vaccines that our cold chain can manage. We have the ultra cold chain to keep them potent.

    “We have invested in cold chain equipments. We are aware the Covac Facility will bring additional vaccines that will work more in our environment.

    “We are also generating a more comprehensive database of such workers. There is a comprehensive deployment plan. We are identifying priorities especially those that work directly with patients and we have a list of these individuals that work across the country.

    “For us in the health sector, we must put in the effort and push the drive for vaccine. We must also listen to people and empathise with their concerns with continuous sensitization.

    “We are working with a regulatory agency — NAFDAC, irrespective of other foreign certification of the vaccine. There must be due diligence.

    “When the vaccines come, NAFDAC has to go through the assessment and processes to certify it good enough for Nigerians.

    “The leadership of NAFDAC is very important. They will work with WHO to certify the vaccines. We have competent Nigerians that can do the job,” Dr Shuaib said.

    Meanwhile, in a bid to encourage Nigerians to get inoculated, the ED had said President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will receive their COVID-19 vaccine doses on live television.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha will also receive the vaccine on live telecast in a move the government hopes will help drive awareness.

  • NPHCDA reveals those to first receive COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria

    NPHCDA reveals those to first receive COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria

    The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has revealed those that will first receive Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine when it is available in the country.

    The Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this at the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Shuaib revealed that Nigeria will first inoculate frontline health workers, first responders, national leaders, people vulnerable to coronavirus and the elderly.

    He went further to say that the vaccine would be gotten through the global COVAX scheme and that 42 million doses of it would soon be gotten to cover one fifth of Nigeria’s population.

    He also said that the initial doses would come as part of Nigeria’s plan to inoculate 40 per cent of the population in 2021.

    “The COVAX scheme was set up to provide vaccines to poorer countries such as Nigeria, whose 200 million people and poor infrastructure pose a daunting challenge to medical officials rolling out the vaccinations, as the West African country battles a second, larger spike in coronavirus cases.

    “Nigeria, where officials recorded low coronavirus numbers through much of 2020, had 1,204 new cases on Monday, its highest ever, as total confirmed cases edge closer to 100,000.

    “Nigeria will first inoculate frontline health workers, first responders, national leaders, people vulnerable to coronavirus and the elderly,“ he said.

    He said that Nigeria must educate its citizens on the importance of COVID-19 vaccination.

    “We fear what we don’t understand,” he noted.