The Federal government of Nigeria has again received 2million doses of the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine donated by the European Union in the nation’s capital Abuja.
The donation is in line with the EU’s determination to fight against the pandemic in the African region.
Taking the deliveries at the federal government’s strategic COLD store in Abuja.
The Federal Government through its Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said the latest donation of these vaccines has amounted to the total number of about a 51million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine available in Nigeria.
Thus reiterating the agency’s commitment to focusing on the hard-to-reach areas to surmount the threat of the pandemic.
“With today’s donation of 1,936,050 doses by the European Union, the total number of doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine available to Nigeria is about 51m doses. At the moment, Nigeria currently has in-country 12,916,450 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines
I want to sincerely appreciate the European Union for your continued partnership in development. We have no doubt about the commitment of the European Union to the eradication of COVID-19 from Nigeria and the rest of the world. The onus is upon us to make rational and effective use of the vaccines.”
Earlier at the event, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi noted the donation is geared towards supporting the vaccination process while seeking to enhance local manufacturing of vaccines in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative Peter Hawkins, on commending the donors charged them to also provide support in the area of polio and other routine Immunizations to boost total eradication of childhood diseases in the country.
In the year 2021, vaccine administration was focused on Astrazeneca due to its short shelf life, however, NPHCDA is optimistic that in the days ahead only Johnson and Johnson vaccines will be administered in hard to reach areas as it requires a single dose for full vaccination so as to enable the health workers to discharge their duties effectively for safety measures.
