Tunde Bakare
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has stated that the country is expecting three types of vaccines.
The Minister of State for Health, Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora, gave the hint at the PTF briefing on COVID-19 on Monday, March 1, in Abuja.
Mamora said that Nigeria has the option to increase supply if need be.
“For now, there will be no need for ungoverned private importation of vaccines,’’ Mamora stated.
The Minister said that vaccine deployment would be done by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) until further notice.
According to him, all manufacturers of vaccines would require an official indemnification to be able to administer their product in Nigeria.
Nigeria, Mamora added, has provided for the Covax facility.
“Vaccines from any other sources must first have NAFDAC’s Emergency Use Authorisation; and they are also not covered under the indemnification arrangement.
“Such vaccines will be illegal and, therefore, subject to be impounded by NAFDAC and Customs.
“All vaccines coming into Nigeria will arrive only through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja,’’ he said.
He warned that arrival vaccines at any other airport will not be allowed but will be confiscated by the Nigeria Customs.
He noted that it was important to have an orderly, disciplined rollout to avoid chaos in the immunisation scene.
“As the expected first batch of COVID vaccines from the COVAX facility arrives from Mumbai to Nigeria; all plans and arrangements have been finalised to ensure a hitch-free rollout of vaccination.
“Such arrangements included training of health workers; secured logistics; as well as cold chain equipment to receive vaccines in all wards of the federation.
“The vaccines will be received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport and delivered to the National Strategic Cold Store (NSCS), Abuja where inspection as well as quality testing will be conducted by NAFDAC and due documentation and certification are done.’’
Mamora said that the government would begin the rollout with the vaccination of frontline health workers, who are the first line of defence.
“Our goal is to introduce the COVID-19 vaccine in a phased, as well as equitable manner; and ultimately vaccinate all eligible Nigerians within the next two years to ensure herd immunity.
“The World Health Organisation recommendation is not to vaccinate persons under 18 years of age; until more scientific data is available on any effects on growing children,’’ he said.
The minister said that there were countries experiencing the third wave; after surviving the second phase, “a reason for us to beware’’.