Nigeria is not on the red list of countries that must be quarantined for 14 days in a controlled UK facility, the Federal Government assured Nigerians on Tuesday.
It should be noted that the UK government has agreed with a press statement issued last week that Nigerians will continue to isolate themselves after they get in the UK.
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), speaking on behalf of the Federal government, said that this is identical to our demand that visitors from the United Kingdom be isolated for seven days upon arriving in Nigeria.
He gave this assurance at a news briefing on the progress of COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday in Abuja.
NPHCDA boss stated that , ” The Presidential Steering Committee is in the process of reviewing these requirements. We have been in touch with the UK Government. Just like they stated clearly in their communication, the current listing of Countries with approved vaccination certification has just started in the UK.
“They are reviewing the Country’s programs in phases. If you go through the list of 50 closely, no African country made the list. The UK Government is yet to comprehensively review Nigeria’s vaccination certification program. From my communication with the UK Government officials, the vaccines administered in Nigeria are approved by the UK Government. They are also involved with the vaccination program in Nigeria through the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and they are optimistic that by the time Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccination program certification is assessed, it will be approved.
“There are many Countries in the World, so we like many other Countries are in the queue for this assessment. Once it gets to our turn, we are more likely than not to get approved in the coming weeks. Like the UK Government have clearly stated, the process of assessment would occur in phases.
“As at yesterday, the 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”.
Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative (WR), Dr Walter Mulombo Kazadi commended Nigeria on vaccines distribution.
He said other countries will come to Nigeria to learn the act of vaccine distribution.
Meanwhile, the UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Peter Hawkins said Nigeria still need to increase the number of people vaccinated per day from 100,000 to 300,000 per day, if we must meet the target.
Hawkins who was represented at the occasion by Dr. Dorothy Ochola said the number of people vaccinated daily has increased the daily average to about 100,000
He also advised that COVID-19 vaccine should be integrated into routine immunization so that it can be easily accessed.
