All is set for the Federal Government to commence the administration of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines today (Friday).
The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, announced this on Thursday in Abuja.
Nigeria had on March 5, 2021 commenced COVID-19 vaccination with a total of 3.94 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX institute of India.
Following a break, Nigeria resumed her second phase of the vaccine in August with donations of Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines which were received from foreign countries.
Shuaib said, “The Federal Government reviewed the country’s vaccination program and resolved to introduce the booster dose using the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech vaccine across the country. This will take effect from tomorrow, Friday the 10th of December 2021.
“It is pertinent to reiterate the fact that the Nigerian COVID-19 vaccination program is science-driven. Evidence has shown that the booster dose further increases protection against the virus.
“Eligibility for the booster dose includes being 18 years and above, fully vaccinated with either two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The time interval before the booster dose is at least six months for these vaccines, except the Johnson and Johnson which is at least two months.
“This is another opportunity to be further protected. I, therefore, urge all those who have taken the right decision to be fully vaccinated, to walk into the nearest vaccination site for their booster dose as from tomorrow (Friday).”
