The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has disclosed that 1.9% of eligible population in Nigeria is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The eligible population for vaccination is 111,776,503. Out of this figure, 2,166,186 people have received their second doses of the vaccines as at Tuesday October 4.

Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this on Tuesday during the weekly briefing on COVID-19 vaccination status.

“As at 4th of October 2021, Nigeria had vaccinated 4,963,985 eligible persons across the country with first dose of COVID-19 vaccines. This figure represents 4.4% of the targeted 111,776,503 eligible population.

“About 2,166,186 people have received their second doses of the vaccines. This means that approximately 1.9% of eligible populated is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  It is imperative to reiterate the fact that only those who have taken their second dose are fully protected against the deadly COVID-19,” he said.

Shuaib stated that the agency has intensified campaigns for the uptake of second dose using multiple media strategies, stakeholders, and community engagement.

He, however, admitted that more work needs to be collectively done to improve vaccine uptake.

“We will continue to engage with citizens to promote a more rapid uptake of the vaccines much as we will continue to count on your professional support to see that people are adequately protected against COVID-19.

“I would like to inform you that yesterday evening, we received 501,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX facility as donation from the Government of France. We have also gotten confirmation that we will be receiving 3,577,860 doses of Pfizer vaccines within the next two weeks,” he said.

He added that: “In the coming months, Nigeria will be receiving more doses of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX facility. We anticipate that the vaccines will be quite large in amount, and therefore will require more efficient and faster ways of utilizing them including expanding access to the vaccines.

“We have therefore started implementing the decentralisation of vaccine utilisation by involving the private sector in the vaccine administration. Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are available at government health facilities only. As we decentralize, private health facilities who meet the set criteria will be allocated COVID-19 vaccines, after due training of their immunization service providers. Vaccinations in private health facility will continue with the help of government health officials.

“Subsequently, clients will be able to access COVID-19 vaccines at both government and private health care facilities in the country. This will be done at different levels which would include the States and Local Governments. We are taking every caution to ensure that when implemented, the decentralization policy is not corrupted. Private health care facilities will be carefully selected based on transparent eligibility criteria, and supervision will be maximized to ensure discipline and compliance with safety measures. The goal, as I said is to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and to ensure rapid and safe vaccine utilization.”