Coronavirus
COVID-19: Nigeria to receive first batch of vaccines (15 million) from COVAX in February- Minister
Nigeria to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX in February.

Published
1 month agoon

Nigeria is expected to receive the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines, which is 15 million, from AstraZeneca under the COVAX programme.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 national briefing in Abuja on Monday.
Though the minister did not specify the date or time, he disclosed that the government had been advised to expect the first batch of the vaccines from February.
READ: South African President appeals to wealthy countries not to hoard COVID-19 vaccines
He said, “According to latest information I have, we have been advised to expect the first COVID-19 vaccines from Covax to arrive in Nigeria as from February. We shall continue to review plans to ensure smooth roll out in our country.”
According to him, the delay being experienced in receiving the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines was because manufacturers were yet to take decisions on when to deploy it to the country.
“The date of first arrival of vaccines in Nigeria has kept changing, because the decision lies with the manufacturer who already has heavy commitments.
“Nigeria had been allocated over 42 million doses by the AU’s African Vaccines Acquisition Task Team AVATT and was expecting 15 of about 42 million doses from COVAX. Altogether, it will give us coverage for over 50% of our target for 2021, if we can access all doses promised,” he added.
READ: FG considers lockdown in Lagos, Abuja, others over surge in Covid-19 cases
What WHO says …
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for global equity in the allocation of vaccines, noting that COVID-19 was a threat to mankind, and not only to any country alone.
Besides, the Director-General of WHO has repeatedly stated that no country is safe till all countries are safe.
“We have been keeping a strict eye on the vaccines scene and those who follow International news may have heard of the scramble for vaccines which has pitched some countries against each other in Europe, as wealthy high-income countries have pre-paid to allocate vaccines to themselves.”
“A spokesperson for WHO estimated that 95 per cent of vaccines manufactured globally so far has gone to only 10 rich and powerful countries,” Dr Ehanire said.
READ: President Buhari approves local production of helicopters by NASENI
Why it matters
- On Monday, Nairametrics had reported that South Africa took delivery of its first batch of the vaccines, a development that has made several Nigerians ask when the Federal Government would take its own delivery too.
- Also, the Senate has urged the Federal Government to make sufficient funds available for the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines on Nigerians.
- It described as unfortunate, the failure by the government to produce a plan for the purchase, distribution and administration of the therapy, despite the fact that many nations globally had done so.
Abiola has spent about 14 years in journalism. His career has covered some top local print media like TELL Magazine, Broad Street Journal, The Point Newspaper.The Bloomberg MEI alumni has interviewed some of the most influential figures of the IMF, G-20 Summit, Pre-G20 Central Bank Governors and Finance Ministers, Critical Communication World Conference.The multiple award winner is variously trained in business and markets journalism at Lagos Business School, and Pan-Atlantic University. You may contact him via email - [email protected]


Coronavirus
COVID-19: Dr Cyprian Ngon is first Nigerian to receive vaccine
Dr Cyprian Ngon has made history by becoming the first Nigeria to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria.

Published
6 hours agoon
March 5, 2021
Dr Cyprian Ngon has made history by becoming the first Nigeria to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria.
Dr Ngon led the first set of health workers including Nurse Faith E. Eragbai, Dr. Nuru Joseph and Dr. Thairu Yunusa to receive the vaccine at the flag-off ceremony for COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria, which held on Friday, March 5, 2021 at the National Hospital Abuja.
Speaking in a television interview, Ngong expressed his excitement about getting vaccinated. He said, “You can see, I just took the vaccine now and I feel good. I dreamt of taking this vaccine and I have taken it today.”
Ngong who disclosed that his father died from the virus, also mentioned that he has lost a number of colleagues who were at the forefront of the fight, to the pandemic.
“We’ve been at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight here in the National Hospital at our isolation centre under the able leadership of the National Hospital.
“They’ve provided everything we need for this fight. We’ve lost some, won some and we are happy we are getting the vaccine now in Nigeria. I think that is about the best news we’ve had since.
“I only wished my dad had had that vaccine months ago. We lost him, but we thank God. The fight is still on and we’ll win,” he said.
Meet the first set of health care workers to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in Nigeria — Dr. Ngong Cyprian, Nurse Faith E. Eragbai, Dr. Nuru Joseph and Dr. Thairu Yunusa.
Thank you for working tirelessly to protect us all.#YesToCOVID19Vaccine pic.twitter.com/uOaQogHNgK
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) March 5, 2021
Present at the ceremony were a host of dignitaries including; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib.
Since the emergence of news of the discovery of vaccines, there have been calls for doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to be considered top priority for COVID-19 vaccines because of their crucial jobs and high risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
In case you missed it
- The first batch of the COVAX Astrazeneca/Oxford vaccines arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, March 2021 via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
- Nairametrics reported that the Federal Government announced the President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will receive shots of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday to demonstrate vaccine safety to the public.
- Last month during a PTF COVID-19 briefing Dr Faisal revealed plans by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to vaccinate 109 million Nigerians in 2 years.
Coronavirus
Covid-19: First dose of vaccines administered at National Hospital Abuja
National Flag-off Ceremony for COVID-19 Vaccination taking place at the National Hospital Abuja.

Published
6 hours agoon
March 5, 2021
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency announced the flag-off ceremony for COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria.
The vaccines were administered at the National Hospital Abuja, in an event chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, and reported by the NPHCDA on social media.
According to reports, one Dr Cyprian Ngon is the first to receive the vaccine. He led the first set of health workers including Nurse Faith E. Eragbai, Dr. Nuru Joseph and Dr. Thairu Yunusa to receive the vaccine.
Meet the first set of health care workers to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in Nigeria — Dr. Ngong Cyprian, Nurse Faith E. Eragbai, Dr. Nuru Joseph and Dr. Thairu Yunusa.
Thank you for working tirelessly to protect us all.#YesToCOVID19Vaccine pic.twitter.com/uOaQogHNgK
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) March 5, 2021
Speaking about the flag-off of the vaccination, the NPHCDA boss, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said: “It’s a momentous occasion today as we administer the first dose to one of our foremost frontline Medical Doctor in the fight against COVID-19.
“Today we are going to be administering the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine to our frontline health workers. The vaccines we are administering today are safe and effective.”
A huge day for Nigeria as we administer the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. #YesToCOVID19Vaccine pic.twitter.com/JHXUd99QcB
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) March 5, 2021
“I salute the commitment of all health workers in saving and ensuring the protection of all Nigerians. This is a novel roll-out and the only authorised source is the Federal Government,” Boss Mustapha said.
What you should know
- The first batch of the COVAX Astrazeneca/Oxford vaccines arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday, March 2021 via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
- Nairametrics reported that the Federal Government announced the President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, will receive shots of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday to demonstrate vaccine safety to the public.
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