ABUJA, Nigeria (CU)_The Nigerian government has released ₦10 billion (US$26.23 million) to support domestic production of COVID-19 vaccines, Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire said on Monday (Jan 18).
Participating in a Presidential Task Force (PTF) COVID-19 briefing in the capital city of Abuja, Dr. Osagie noted that the Nigerian government is exploring the option of local production of COVID-19 vaccines in collaboration with recognised institutions.
The Health Minister also warned Nigerians against fake vaccines, noting that there are specific procedures to be followed for their acquisition and use, which includes certification by the National Agency for Food and Drug and Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“I advise against fake vaccines, as there is no one approved for use in the country. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is the only authorised vaccine administrator in Nigeria,” he said.
During the briefing Dr. Osagie noted that the number of new COVID-19 infections in the West African nation have seen a dramatic surge in the recent days, with infections recorded so far this January accounting for more than 20 percent of all confirmed cases in Nigeria.
He further noted that the country registered 10,300 confirmed cases from just 50,750 samples tested in one week, which means, one out of every five persons tested in the last one week turned out positive, compared to the previous week which recorded a positivity rate of 14 percent.
“There is no doubting the fact that we are deeply into the second wave of the pandemic which requires that PTF and the Federal Ministry of Health review our strategies to respond to the challenge,” the Health Minister said.
