Nigeria has commenced the COVID-19 vaccination campaign after the most populous African country received almost 4 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca through the COVAX mechanism.
The campaign commenced in the nation’s capital, Abuja with the inoculation of four health workers on live television.
Dr Cyprian Nyong, a medical doctor with the National Hospital, Abuja, became the first Nigerian to receive a jab of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, flagged off the exercise on behalf of the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
While the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, described the moment as a “watershed”, the country’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, also said it was crucial “to first cater for those who cater for us”.
It is expected that President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will on Saturday receive shots of the vaccines to dissipate vaccine hesitancy amongst Nigerians.
By Abel Ejikeme
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