In 24 hours, 2.3 million Nigerians register for COVID-19 vaccination

About 2.3 million Nigerians have indicated interest in taking COVID-19 vaccination within 24 hours, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has said.

It stated this on Monday while dispelling the fears that people might not want to be vaccinated against the virus.

Executive Director of NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, said there was enthusiasm in Nigeria over Monday’s arrival of close to four million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

He said, “I can tell you that there is a lot of excitement about the vaccine arrival. I know some people have their concerns and we are trying but I want to give you an example of the enthusiasm that Nigerians are showing around wanting to take these vaccines.

“Around midday on Monday when we launched the e-registration platform, in less than 24 hours, we already had up to 2.3 million Nigerians who had registered. And that number continues to increase.”

While the arrival of the first batch of vaccines was a major boost in Nigeria’s fight against the pandemic,  Shuaib said there was still much work to be done.

He said, “Yes, the vaccines are here, but there is even harder work that needs to go on to make sure that we deliver the vaccines into the arms of Nigerians in a way that is respectful, in a way that is stress-free.”

He said the agency had put plans in place for the roll-out of the vaccine and that it is only waiting for the approval of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“So, we are waiting on NAFDAC. We feel that they are going to do all of the checks that are necessary and once they give us the green light, we will be ready to roll out the vaccines,” he said.

The NPHCDA boss also dismissed rumours that the vaccines had been allotted to the high and mighty in the society, maintaining that frontline health workers and those exposed to the virus would be given priority in the administration of the jabs.

“I will tell you categorically that we have not allotted these vaccines to the rich people or to the people in the urban areas, absolutely not. Mr President has been very clear,” he said.

He added, “On Friday, we are going to be launching the vaccines; we are going to be rolling them out at the treatment centres at the national hospital. Our priority will be the health workers.”