By Haruna Gimba
Nigeria has finally received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccine; the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) announced the arrival via its official Twitter handle.
In the tweet, the NPHCDA confirmed that the arrival of the first batch of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria.
Health Reporters had reported that the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 had earlier announced that Nigeria will get 3.92 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, March 2
It was gathered that the first batch of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines received through the COVAX facility arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday morning.
Prior to its arrival, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had approved the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in Nigeria.
NAFDAC’s director-general, Mojisola Adeyeye, made the announcement on Thursday, February 18. She stated that the vaccine can be stored at 2 to 8-degree centigrade.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SGF Boss Mustapha, and other prominent Nigerians will be among the first set of people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
They are expected to receive the first dose of the vaccine on Saturday, March 6.
The Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said the vaccination will be done on live television to encourage Nigerians.
