The world was ravaged by the Covid-19 virus which threatened to disrupt our normal living patterns. The ensuing pandemic, a consequence of the global spread of the virus, caused us to adapt to negative living conditions. Since, there has been immense global efforts at curbing this pandemic. Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) in an interview, spoke on the coverage of the Covid-19 vaccinations, the challenges to increasing the vaccination volume and the attained milestones.
There have been reports of concrete indications to a recurrence in Covid-19 cases in Nigeria. Over the last week, there have been at least 25 new cases across China, United States of America, the United Kingdom amongst others. With vaccines being most cost-effective tool against the prevention of preventable diseases, the Federal Government of Nigeria has been so concerned about ensuring that all eligible citizens be fully vaccinated, in a bid to protect the country from another rampage of the disease.
Vaccine hesitancy, a challenge of vaccine coverage in Nigeria.
During the last Covid-19 strategy team meeting, it was noted that the country was targeting the vaccination of at least 70 percent of all eligible persons with the Covid-19 vaccine. Reports indicated that by January 20, 2023, Nigeria had already vaccinated 65,143,040, approximately 56 percent of the eligible populace with the vaccine, while 76,957,026 (64 percent) were recorded to have taken at least one dose. Also, thirteen states in the country such as Nasarawa, Kaduna, Jigawa, Osun, Yobe and Kebbi were recorded to have attained about 70 percent full vaccination of their eligible populace. Seven states were recorded to have achieved between 40 to 70 percent vaccination coverage with the last 16 states, noted as low performance.
Dr. Faisal pointed out that one important challenge at the commencement of the Covid-19 spread was the global scarcity and unequal access to Covid-19 vaccines. He also pointed out that the main problems associated with the low coverage of vaccination in the country included vaccine hesitancy due to misinformation and the rampant insecurity that has prevented health workers from carrying out their services. Additionally, he noted that the suspension of the vaccination process for months as a result of technical discrepancies was another reason for the low vaccination performances in these 16 states. He however explained that the NPHDA, in collaboration with other partners were rendering technical assistance to these low performing states.
56% of eligible population fully vaccinated during SCALE 3.0 initiative.
The importance of the implementation of the SCALE 3.0 , the NPHDA’s Executive Director stated that numerous innovative and indigenous initiatives had been deployed to enhance the Covid-19 vaccination programme since March 5, 2020. He indicated that the phase 1 and 2, as well as the SCALE 1.0, where the TEACH strategy was employed, the SCALE 2.0 and SCALE 3.0 had all been effective in increasing the vaccination coverage in the country. He disclosed that with the SCALE 3.0 initiative, an additional 47,839,574 people had undergone the vaccination process. He noted that about 56 percent of the eligible population was fully vaccinated during the SCALE 3.0 initiative.
On the country’s preparedness for other impending epidemics, Dr. Faisal noted that there were vaccines and intervention options that many Nigerians must be conversant with and adopt, so as to be better equipped for any future epidemic. He said that asides the Covid-19 vaccine which was available, immunization vaccines had also been made available for children under one year to prevent them from preventable diseases. He indicated that the pandemic provided the country with an important opportunity to develop the health system by leveraging on the Covid-19 available resources. On the country’s preparedness for impending pandemics, he cited President Buhari’s comment on Nigeria being ready to become a global hub for sustainable manufacturing of vaccines.
Specific priority actions enacted to curb diphtheria surge in the country.
However, on the role of NPHDA in tackling the diphtheria surge in Nigeria, Dr. Faisal noted that the agency was collaborating with the Kano state team and other important stakeholders to curb the current outbreak. Asides treatment of confirmed cases, specific priority actions such as case investigation within the affected communities and the provision of technical supports had been enacted in Kano, Lagos and other high risk states. He disclosed that the agency was working on commencing a massive vaccination program within these affected regions, as well as public awareness creation.
Related Link
WHO: Website
Over 2 million Nigerian teenagers vaccinated. – 25 new Covid-19 cases confirmed across China, USA, UK and others. – Express your point of view.
That rate is still very low. A lot of teenagers need to be vaccinated, as a result off these deadly diseases around. More vaccines should be provided for.
25 new Covid-19 cases confirmed across China, USA, UK and others. They should treat the new cases before it go out of hand. They should be fast about it
Teenagers have really turn up for the vaccination in Nigeria. As time goes on am sure more people will turn up for the vaccination which will eventually keep the country safe.
It is good that Not only is the Covid-19 vaccine made available, but also vaccination vaccines for infants and toddlers.
The Covid-19 virus, which caused widespread devastation across the planet and threatened to upend our regular ways of life, was responsible.
People still need to get vaccinated, we should not allow this virus should come into existence in our country we know how the virus affect us so people should get vaccinated the vaccine should be provide
To prevent another outbreak of a preventable disease, the government of Nigeria has been very concerned with making sure that all eligible residents receive the necessary vaccinations.
As a direct result of the pandemic that subsequently broke out as a direct result of the global spread of the virus, we were forced to adjust our way of life to accommodate the adverse living conditions.
Since vaccines are the most cost-effective instrument against the prevention of diseases that can be avoided, the Federal Government of Nigeria has been so concerned about ensuring that all eligible individuals are completely vaccinated that they have made it a priority to vaccinate all of its inhabitants.
The main difficulties that were related with the poor vaccination coverage in the country included vaccine reluctance owing to misinformation and the pervasive insecurity that has prevented health personnel from carrying out their services. Both of these issues contributed to the low vaccination coverage.
At the beginning of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, one of the most significant challenges was the global scarcity of COVID-19 vaccines and the unequal access to these vaccines.
Vaccine hesitancy due to false information and pervasive insecurity that has stopped health workers from doing their jobs were two of the key challenges associated with the low vaccination rate in the country. Low vaccination rates can be traced to these two factors.
These underperforming states were receiving assistance from the NPHDA, along with other partners, who were providing technical support.
Another factor that contributed to the subpar vaccination rates in these 16 states was the fact that the immunization process had to be put on hold for several months as a result of some technical complications.
In addition to working to raise awareness among locals, the organization was getting ready to launch a comprehensive vaccination campaign in the areas that had been impacted.
So far, the coverage of the Covid-19 vaccinations is low. The Government should ensure that all eligible citizens be fully vaccinated, in a bid to protect the country from another rampage of the disease.
It is certain that more Nigerians will be vaccinated provided that government never back down on the awareness creation program. This will fast track the process of vaccination in the country.
More awareness should be created about it to enable more people to be vaccinated. Prevention is better than cure. Our government need to be proactive to prevent the re-emergence of the COVID-19.
People still need to get vaccinated, and since we should not let the spread of this virus in our nation and are aware of how it affects us, people should receive the necessary vaccinations.
The Nigerian government has taken great care to ensure that all eligible citizens acquire the required vaccines in order to stop another epidemic of a disease that is easily curable.