The Gombe Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru, says the state government has of December 23, vaccinated 115,000 persons. 

Mr Dahiru who stated this at a news conference on Friday in Gombe, said the figure represented only 7.12 per cent of the targeted 50 per cent of the state’s population.

He said the state was still lagging behind in the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“About 115,000 people had their first jab while about 53,000 persons completed the required two doses of either Moderna or Astrazaneca vaccine.

“Today marked one year and 227 days since the COVID-19 pandemic was first detected in Gombe State.

“We have been able to test 90,885 samples and 2,776 cases tested positive while 2,690 managed and discharged with 60 deaths from confirmed cases,” the commissioner said. 

Mr Dahiru said the state had adequate stock of the vaccine, and urged the people to get vaccinated to protect themselves against the virus.

He said the state government had set up 166 COVID-19 vaccination teams to fast track administration of the vaccine across the state.

He said for those who completed their scheduled doses of vaccination, “booster doses will soon be available, and all will be eligible after six months of the completion of the schedule.”

Mr Dahiru enjoined residents of the state to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical preventive measures during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“I wish to remind the public during this period of festivities that as we interact together as families and loved ones, we must learn to protect one another from the pandemic by observing the preventive measures,” he said.

(NAN)