The committee will generate strategies for the zcquisition, deployment and options for licenced production of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Nigerian Government has announced plans to inaugurate an 18-man national COVID-19 task team to ensure 'vaccine security' when it finally gets to the country.
The minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, made this known at the
He said the committee will have a seven-point of reference which will include generating strategies for acquisition, deployment and options for licenced production of the vaccines.
"Now that vaccines are known to be close at hand, the
Race intensifies
Three competitors have emerged in the international race to find a vaccine to counter coronavirus, which has infected almost 60 million people, killing over a million persons in at least 200 countries.
The companies were already applying for an emergency use authorisation from the
The
Pharmaceutical giant
Unlike the
It is designed to stimulate the production of antibodies and T-cells, which then attack the virus.
The Director-General of
"We have to start preparing Nigerian population for vaccine delivery when it becomes available," he said. "Access is a very key issue when it comes to vaccines; that a vaccine is developed do not necessarily translate to being available to those that need it the most."
'Two billion doses'
The
Like all vaccines, the one against COVID-19 is essentially expected to instruct the immune system to mount a defence, which is sometimes stronger than what would be provided through natural infection and comes with fewer health consequences.
There are more than 150 vaccine candidates around the world right now. Many of them will never make it out of the laboratory but the leading candidates are defying medical norms and promising a safe and efficient cure by the end of this year.
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