The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says 65.7 per cent of eligible Nigerians have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Bulama Garuba, NPHCDA director of planning, research and statistics, disclosed this in Abuja while giving an update on COVID-19 response and development during the bi-weekly ministerial meeting of the agency.

“At the start of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise, we targeted to vaccinate 70 per cent of our eligible population by December 2022. As of today, Monday, January 9, 2023, 76,161,470 eligible persons have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, representing 65.7 per cent of our eligible population,” stated Mr Garuba.

The NPHCDA added that 64,094,498 had been fully vaccinated, representing 55.3 per cent of our eligible population, and 9,892,018 had received booster doses.

“This year, we have seen an increase in the number of our eligible population from 111,773,503 to 115,983,921 as a result of an increase in several persons who turned 18 years,” Mr Garuba explained.

Mr Garuba said the fight against COVID-19 was not over as a new variant of the virus, XBB.1.5, emerged in the United States.

“XBB.1.5 is quickly becoming the dominant strain in parts of the United States and has been detected in at least 28 other countries, according to the World Health Organisation,” the NPHCDA director stated. “It is because of a potent mix of mutations that makes it easier to spread broadly. The XBB.1.5 has been pegged by the World Health Organisation as “the most transmissible” descendant yet of the omicron variant.”

He explained that the increase in the number of cases seen globally results from a mutation that is occurring and the low intake of booster doses.

“We are, therefore, calling on all Nigerians to ensure that they take their booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. Just like the flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccines have become routinized vaccines that help protect us against this deadly virus,” Mr Garuba said.

According to him, the agency is continuously working with all national, state and local government stakeholders to increase awareness, social mobilization and coverage.

He said as of January 7, Nigeria had a COVID-19 vaccine stock balance of 28,968,045 doses.

“More vaccines are still expected over the coming weeks. We, therefore, encourage all Nigerians to visit the nearest government facility to ensure they are up to date with either their first, second or booster doses,” he added. “The COVID -19 vaccines are available, they are free and they are safe.”

Mr Garuba said the agency would continue to work with partners to ensure that low-performing states were pushed to ensure full coverage of all eligible populations.

“Remember, it is not yet over. We must continue to work together to ensure Nigerians remain fully protected against the virus,” he said. 

(NAN)