Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire has revealed that the federal government is expecting 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in February.
The minister made this known during the media briefing of the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.
Recall that the Minister had earlier stated that the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses would arrive in January.
On Monday, Ehanire, however, explained that the change in time was caused by the vaccine manufacturer.
Also Read: Ehanire: Nigeria Has Secured Additional 41m Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine
“The date of first arrival of vaccines in Nigeria has kept changing because the decision lies with the manufacturer, who already has heavy commitments. According to latest information I have, we have been advised to expect the first COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX to arrive Nigeria as from February,” he said.
“We shall continue to review plans to ensure smooth rollout in our country — a huge task in the hands of NPHCDA, which is better placed than any organisation, with the requisite institutional memory from polio eradication and routine immunisation, to deliver the vaccine to all areas of Nigeria.
“Nigeria has been allocated over 41 million doses by the AU’s African Vaccines Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), and we can expect 15 of about 42 million doses from COVAX. Altogether, it will give us coverage for over 50 percent of our target for 2021, if we can access all doses promised.”
He said the African Union allocated over 41 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Nigeria, and of the total, 15 million doses facilitated through COVAX will arrive in February.
via: Information Nigeria
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