The federal government has projected that it will receive about 55 million doses of vaccines by
The Chairman Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, Mr.
He assured that with the delivery of doses of
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, also reiterated that the only way to survive the scourge was to be vaccinated, a fact he said had been reinforced by science and research.
He noted that although the global cases recorded have continued to decline to about four million cases weekly, the situation, however, still calls for caution because the country and the world are not out of the woods yet.
"To ease travels for fully vaccinated Nigerians, we are exploring the principles of reciprocity between
He also disclosed that the federal government has removed
He said
In the light of the exemption of
Meanwhile the
Shuaib who spoke yesterday at the PSC briefing said with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 globally, some countries have been instituting vaccine mandates by asking workers to either present proof of vaccination or provide weekly COVID-19 PCR negative results in order to be allowed into public offices.
He stressed that it was only when eligible persons come out for vaccination and observe the non-pharmaceutical interventions that the country can achieve population immunity and prevent the vaccine from becoming a nuisance and threat.
He also disclosed that as of
According to him a total of 4,052,756 eligible persons had received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, comprising of 2,645,020 persons with the first dose of
"Considering the rapid progress seen in the utilisation of
"Most states have reached this percentage and priority is now focused on administering
He warned against an attempt by anyone to produce, procure and sell fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, saying anyone caught illegally transacting would be apprehended and made to face the law.
He similarly warned that any state found to be condoning acts of corruption in relation to the distribution of vaccines and handling of vaccination cards sent to them will no longer be allocated vaccines.
Shuaib said it was the duty of the states to protect the vaccines and vaccination cards sent to them as well as ensure that the vaccines are administered in a safe and effective manner and are made free for all.
Shuaib further said: "A recent study by the
"It further showed that those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 were eleven times more likely to die of the disease and ten times more likely to be hospitalised with the disease"
Shuaib also said that the agency has taken steps to ensure that the vaccines are administered in a safe and effective manner and are made free for all.
He said there is the need for the states to hold their health workers accountable and sanction any health official found carrying out activities contrary to the mandates set by the federal government.
According to him, any state found to be condoning these acts of corruption would no longer be allocated vaccines.
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