The National Primary Health Care Development Agency said on Friday that more than 60 million Nigerians out of the total people eligible for COVID-19 vaccination had been fully vaccinated.
The NPHCDA said the proportion represented more than 54 percent of the target population.
It also said that more than 70 million Nigerians in the target population had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, representing more than 65 percent of the target population.
The NPHCDA revealed this on Friday in Abuja at the national assessment meeting of the historic achievements in vaccination against COVID-19 in Nigeria.
Introducing the COVID-19 milestones, NPHCDA’s Dr. Adejoke Oladele said, “In November 2020, with guidance from the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the NPHCDA established the COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy Group and the COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy Groups. Technical Workgroups comprising government officials, partners and donors to advance the COVID-19 vaccination process.
“The SG identified people over 18 years of age as the target population for vaccination against COVID-19, which is 51.4% of the population (111,776,503 people). A national goal of 70 percent coverage was set by the end of the fourth quarter of 2022.
“In March 2021, Nigeria received around four million doses of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines from COVAX facilities, and on March 5, 2021, it administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers at the National Hospital , FCT, Abuja.
“Since then, the country has received more than 127.5 million doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines as donations from friends of Nigeria, the COVAX facility and purchase by the Federal Government of Nigeria. through the African Union Vaccine Procurement. Confidence.
“The donation of vaccines from the United States Government to Nigeria currently amounts to 32.6 million doses, among other supports.
“In collaboration with the United States government, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, other international and local partners, and non-governmental organizations, the Nigerian government has worked to ensure COVID vaccines -19, routine immunization and other primary health care services. services reach all corners of the country to ensure that everyone receives basic medical care.
“To date, more than 54 percent of the target population has been fully vaccinated, which translates to more than 60 million people.”
The country’s vaccination progress report shows that, as of December 14, the top five performing states in vaccination against COVID-19 are Jigawa, Nasarawa, Osun, Kaduna and Kano.
Dr Oladele added that key interventions to reduce inequities in vaccination and primary health care services needed to be defined and implemented in line with government priorities to reduce the number of children with zero doses and underimmunization.
In his remarks, NPHCDA Executive Director Dr. Faisal Shuaib said the agency implemented different mitigation and containment strategies against COVID-19 through sustained partnerships and collaborations with partners and stakeholders.
“We have adopted a framework based on existing systems and structures while ensuring accountability frameworks are in place at all levels.
“When we began this journey, many did not believe in our ability to deliver due to the challenges in our healthcare system, but with resilience and commitment, today we stand strong to celebrate our successes.
“Celebrating the historic achievements of COVID-19 in Nigeria is a win-win situation, not only for the Nigerian government and its development partners, but also for our traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations , the private sector and the media for partnering with us to leverage their platforms to raise public awareness, build trust and rapidly increase uptake of the COVID-29 vaccine in Nigeria.”
For his part, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, praised the agency and partners in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: “It has shown that if we apply the same zeal to all sectors in this country, Nigeria will be a better place and be a role model for the whole world. Pandemics will continue but we cannot rest on our oars, we will continue working on how to sensitize the public and the population, particularly the role played by traditional rulers, we are the closest to our people, and we are the first point of contact. Our policies are the meeting point of our people, in each community”.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and Federation Government Secretary, Boss Mustapha, said the national goal was to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the eligible population by the end of 2022.
“Although we are not there yet, we are very close with 65 percent of our eligible population vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 54 percent are fully vaccinated. What interests me most about all this data is the fact that more than 60 million people are fully vaccinated while more than 72 million people have received at least one dose.
“The effect of this vaccination is the fact that deaths from COVID-19 have dropped dramatically in Nigeria.
“As of December 14, 2022, cumulatively, 266,381 cases have been confirmed, 259,756 cases have been discharged, and 3,155 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“In addition, it is this excellent achievement that has given the federal government the confidence to ease COVID-19 restrictions.”
Mustapha, who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumakama, called on Nigerians and all Nigerians to ensure they receive their COVID-19 vaccines as well as booster doses.