NPHCDA Urges Nigerians To Receive Second Jab Of COVID-19 Vaccine

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has encouraged Nigerians to present themselves for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, disclosing that both President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, have received theirs.

Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of NPHCDA also disclosed that state governors, legislators and traditional rulers are beginning to take their second vaccine doses.

At a press conference on Monday in Abuja, Shuaib said about 1,956,598 targeted eligible Nigerians had been vaccinated with their first dose of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine.

He said: “I will begin with an update on our vaccination efforts. As of today, 1,956,598 of targeted eligible Nigerians have been vaccinated with their first dose of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine. Of this number, 66% are frontline workers, 22% are healthcare workers, while 12% belong to the elderly group.

“73,465 Nigerians have also received their 2nd dose across 36 states and the FCT. This includes His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who both received their second doses on Saturday, May 29.

“Similarly, you would have seen that in many States, the Governors, members of the legislature, traditional and religious leaders have publicly started taking the second dose of their vaccinations. Only yesterday, members of the Presidential Steering Committee, including myself, received our second doses of the vaccine. I can assure you that we are all doing well. Indeed, on my part, the side effects following the second dose were much less than the first dose.”