HEALTH MINISTER FLAGS OFF JOINT NATIONAL & FCT MASS COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN

Dr. Osagie Ehanire

"Nigeria ranks among the high performing countries in total covid-19 response, including vaccine roll out".... Ehanire.

"We cannot rest on our oars because, with our population of 214 million people, we have more to do, within the same time frame, than smaller countries. It means we must speed up current vaccination rate across the whole country; we must work harder and faster than others, just to get the same result. It is critical that we reach all the eligible persons in good time". 

"Our aim is to have vaccinated 55 million residents of Nigeria by the end of January, 2022, which is 50% of our target population. We have enough vaccines and assurance of flow of high quality vaccines from many sources to be certain that we can sustain the campaign to meet the deadline we have set for ourselves".

The Federal Ministry of Health, under the supervision of the Honourable Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has flagged off the National Flag-off of Mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign, today Friday 19th November, 2021.

The Minister, in his opening speech at the flag off, described the event as important and a major step forward in the countrys' efforts to curb the spread of the covid-19 virus and gain the desired herd immunity as quickly as possible.

Ehanire, in his speech, said he was pleased that "Nigeria ranks among the high performing countries in total covid-19 response, including vaccine roll out".

"Nevertheless, we cannot rest on our oars because, with our population of 214 million people, we have more to do, within the same time frame, than smaller countries. It means we must speed up current vaccination rate across the whole country; we must work harder and faster than others, just to get the same result. It is critical that we reach all the eligible persons in good time", he said. 

"According to situation reports on Covid-19 vaccination reaching me, just 5,985,049 persons have been vaccinated with the 1st dose, with 3,336,866 of these receiving their second dose, as of 18th November 2021, out of a target population of 111,776,503. From these figures, we can see that we are not where we want to be with the pace of vaccination". 

"It is in the light of this that the Presidential Steering Committee, the Federal Ministry of Health, and National Primary Health-care Development Agency reviewed the vaccine delivery strategy and decided to start the next phase of  National Vaccine Deployment Plan and set up mass vaccination sites".

"This simply means expanding vaccination points to all primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals, engaging Company hospitals Staff Clinics, Private hospitals and, now, public spaces,  like this ace, for fast access to vaccination for those who keep postponing".

"Our aim is to have vaccinated 55 million residents of Nigeria by the end of January, 2022, which is 50% of our target population. We have enough vaccines and assurance of flow of high quality vaccines from many sources to be certain that we can sustain the campaign to meet the deadline we have set for ourselves.

The Honourable Minister noted that the Ministry of Health plans to maintain that energy and strive for herd immunity, which it had calculated to be by vaccinating at least 70% of our eligible population; but our preference is to exceed that target, because lessons we learn from observing developments in other countries, is that we need to aim higher than 70%, to be more assured of protecting the health of most Nigerians.

He further disclosed that, "but this ambition can succeed only with mass mobilization and participation of citizens. This is why I call on all our partners in this fight to confront covid-19, starting with their Excellencies state governors, LGA chairmen, traditional and religious leaders, Ward Development Committees, community leaders, the media, and all citizens to take this as a national task and urge eligible unvaccinated persons to turn up for the vaccination exercise by walking to a nearby vaccination centre".

He disclosed that the Federal Government is committed to providing safe and efficacious Covid-19 vaccines and dispensing them backed with accountability and transparency. 

"All vaccines are tagged and tracked by NAFDAC to ensure that quality and potency is maintained in the supply chain. No vaccine is allowed to any vaccination except authenticated and with safety verification. We do not compromise safety and standards".

"On behalf of the Government of Nigeria, I express appreciation to all countries who have offered or contributed vaccines, accessories and technical and other forms of supports to our fight against Covid-19, though the African Union or the COVAX Facility.

"I remind all persons that, taking the Covid-19 vaccine is one of the proven ways to avert mass catastrophes that unfortunately befell some countries,  before vaccines were widely available. Each of us plays a part in the effort to checkmate the virus. 

"I urge everyone play that part. The second strategy is to observe the Covid19 prevention and control protocols such as regular hand washing, wearing face mask maintaining physical distance, avoiding large gatherings. 

"This is especially important for persons with comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes and other chronic non communicable diseases, which predispose to serious illness if infected with SARS-COV-2. 

"With diligent observance of these protocols and sustained efforts at mass vaccination, we shall keep the pandemic controlled.