Nigerian Governors Say Vaccines Are Safe, Kogi Refuses to Comply with National Health Agency

All states in Nigeria have received the Covid-19 Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine except the northcentral Kogi State as a result of the state government’s unwillingness to repair the state’s Cold-Chain Store, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency has said.

Chairman of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr Fiasal Shuaib said apart from the Kogi state government’s unwillingness to repair the cold chain store, authorities in the state have expressed concerns regarding the vaccines.

The NPHCDA boss stated this when he made a presentation at the National Economic Council monthly meeting chaired by Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Osinbajo commended the health agency for smooth coordination of the nation-wide distribution of the vaccines.

NEC also welcomed the integration of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to support the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on vaccine accountability and transparency.

State Governors, FCT Minister, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, other ministers, and heads of government agencies and parastatals, participated in the virtual meeting.

Dr Shuaib during the presentation said, “The vaccination application has been launched in most states’ treatment centres even against distractions and criticism of the FG’s efforts to ensure availability of vaccines in the Nation.

“The roll-out of the vaccines across healthcare front-line workers and other health support staff was scheduled to commence by March 15, 2021, in some states, with the intention of wider coverage after the training of the states’ health workers across board.”

To ensure accountability in the distribution of the vaccines, Dr Faisal informed NEC that “the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had been co-opted to support the PTF on Vaccine Accountability to ensure the safekeeping of the vaccines.”

He added that “there was a need for tight security around the vaccines in the states to avoid being vandalized by hoodlums.”

He also assured that the second tranche of the vaccines would be received in the country before the second dose of the vaccine intake is concluded.

By Abel Ejikeme

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