COVID-19: FG extends deadline for second dose of vaccine to July

The Federal authorities has introduced an extension of the deadline for second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

In keeping with Faisal Shuaib, Govt Director of the Nationwide Major Well being Care Growth, the administration of the second dose of the vaccine was supposed to finish on June 25.

Nevertheless, talking at a press convention in Abuja on Thursday, he defined that the necessity for the extension was as a result of time constraints brought on by numerous financial and social engagements.

In keeping with him, a complete of two,099,568 folks have been vaccinated with their first doses, whereas 1,005,234 have obtained their second doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as of 24th June 2021.

He stated, “You’ll recall that the preliminary deadline for second dose administration was 25th of June, 2021. Although we now have prolonged the timeline for the second dose administration till fifth of July 2021.

“We perceive the constraints of time arising from our numerous financial and social engagements and due to that, we determined to increase the administration of second dose of the vaccine till fifth of July 2021.”

Shuaib went on to say that the federal government is extraordinarily annoyed with the worldwide vaccine provide.

In keeping with him, not solely have there been enormous challenges with respect to vaccine producers producing sufficient vaccines for the world, however there additionally has been nice inequality by way of distribution.

“Most international locations of the world have obtained few, and in some instances no, vaccines. It is a drawback that must be solved urgently and we’re speaking this very clearly to our worldwide companions on behalf of Nigerians.

“Lately, we had been inspired by the swell of contributions and pledges from main nations into COVAX.

“Wealthy nations of the world are displaying drastically elevated recognition that there have to be extra provide produced and it have to be distributed far more pretty, and they’re turning into energetic in fixing this,” he stated.

Shuaib disclosed that the U.S. authorities has additionally reconfirmed its donation of 80 million doses by the top of this month.

“These provides and different massive donations of vaccines to COVAX that at the moment are deliberate will allow COVAX to provide new consignments to Nigeria and different nations who want vaccines now,” he added.