Nigeria has on Friday morning administrated the first dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca at National Hospital, Abuja as efforts heighten to fight the pandemic.
Two other doctors, Nuru Joseph and Thairu Yunusa, as well as a nurse, Faith E. Eragbai, also received jabs during the ceremony.
All the recipients have been at the frontline battling the COVID-19 pandemic since Nigeria first detected its first case in February 2020.
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Faisal Shuaib, executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), administered the dosage himself.
A huge day for Nigeria as we administer the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. #YesToCOVID19Vaccine pic.twitter.com/JHXUd99QcB
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) March 5, 2021
Chairman of Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, flagged off the exercise on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.
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While speaking at the ceremony, he said;
I salute the commitment of all health workers in saving and ensuring the protection of all Nigerians. This is a novel roll-out and the only authorised source is the Federal Government.
On his part, Dr Faisal Shuaib, described the moment as a “watershed”, stressing;
It’s a momentous occasion today as we administer the first dose to one of our foremost frontline Medical Doctor in the fight against COVID-19.
Today we are going to be administering the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine to our frontline health workers. The vaccines we are administering today are safe and effective.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said it was crucial “to first cater for those who cater for us”.
On Tuesday, Nigeria received about four million doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine shipped into the country through the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport.
The vaccination exercise began after National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) approved the use of the vaccine in the country after testing some samples.
After undergoing final assessment by NAFDAC, we have confirmation that they have concluded their final checks with positive results.
Nigeria can now go ahead and use the 3.924m doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. #YesToCOVID19Vaccine pic.twitter.com/i8OzT5mVSy
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) March 5, 2021
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President and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will, on Saturday, receive shots of the vaccines to dissipate vaccine hesitancy amongst Nigerians.
See some photos from the vaccination ceremony below;
