President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and other prominent Nigerians will be among the first set of Nigerians to receive the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is about 3.92million doses that is expected to arrive Nigeria on Tuesday, 2nd March 2021. They are expected to receive the first dose of the vaccine on live television.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing on Monday in Abuja. This is to assure Nigerians on the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 will receive the vaccine at the VIP Protocol section, General Aviation Terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. A few vials of the vaccines would be handed over to the NAFDAC team which they will analyze over a period of two days (Wednesday March 3rd and Thursday March 4th). Further to the clearance by NAFDAC, the PTF, FMOH, NPHCDA and strategic leaders will be at 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.
In renewed efforts to ensure a smooth roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire launched the T.E.A.C.H and Electronic Management of Immunization Data system. This is to ensure safe and effective vaccination of prioritized and eligible Nigerians against COVID-19. Following the launching, through a unique link available on NPHCDA website, twitter handle, Facebook and Instagram, we have commenced electronic self-registration of health workers. This will enable us to avoid crowding at vaccination posts as the registered health workers will be scheduled and reminded of their vaccination date via sms and email, Shuaib said.
