The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), on Monday in Abuja, received over three million single-shot COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Italian government.

With the 17 million doses earlier sent by other EU member states, the new vaccines brings the number of doses gifted Nigeria by the EU to 20 million, representing 61 per cent of all donated vaccines received by Nigeria through the COVAX facility.

Delivering the vaccines, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, said “Italy remains committed, along with other European Union members, to support Nigeria’s vaccine needs, with the aim to help to expand global vaccine coverage.

“Providing single-shot vaccines reduces logistical challenges and ensures a faster achievement of Nigeria’s Government vaccination goals.” 

The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, stated that “The EU’s action against COVID-19 does not stop at its borders.”

Ms Isopi said that since 2021, as Team Europe, the EU and its member states have given more than 20 million COVID-19 doses to Nigeria through COVAX.

NPHCDA Executive Director, Faisal Shuaib, commended Italy for the donations, which are in line with the global call for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

He assured that the vaccines would be “judiciously utilized, as we have instituted accountability in the COVID-19 vaccination programme to ensure efficient use of all available resources.”

Mr Shuaib reiterated that Nigeria has adequate COVID-19 vaccines across the country for every eligible person.

The NPHCDA boss said 13,588,718 Nigerians, as at April 11, had been fully vaccinated, with 23,012,700 receiving their first dose of the vaccination process. 

Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO, Country Representative, said the donation is another remarkable example of global solidarity in action to end this pandemic.

(NAN)