Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, says the federal
government has approved the release of N10 billion to support local production
of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Speaking at the media briefing of the presidential task
force (PTF) on COVID-19, held on Monday in Abuja, the minister said the country
is making arrangements to ensure improved access to the vaccine when available.
He explained that the first consignment of vaccine doses
will arrive within weeks, and will cover 20 percent of the population, but
added that there are plans to increase the figure to cover 50 percent.
“On vaccines, we are exploring all options available for the
acquisition of approved vaccines for Nigerians. We are hopeful that the first
consignment will arrive the country in some weeks. Apart from the COVAX
facility, which is billed to cover vaccination of just 20 percent of our
population, we plan to increase our chances of getting enough vaccines to meet
the country’s need to cover an additional 50 percent of the population,” he
said.
“Nigeria is participating in the African Union initiative
called African Vaccine Availability Task Team, which reports directly to the
African Union Chairman, President Ramaphosa of South Africa, and has secured
options for 270 million doses of various types of vaccines.
“Bearing in mind options suitable for our environment and
our available infrastructure, as well as
investment in delivery, Nigeria has written to express interest in 10
million doses of the viral vector vaccine, which could be supplied as from
March 2021. This vaccine does not require deep freezers.
“The ministry of finance has released N10 billion to support
domestic vaccine production. While we are working to develop our own vaccines,
Nigeria is exploring options for licensed production in collaboration with
recognised institutions. We are also exploring the option of local production
of the vaccines in country and have had discussions with a producer.”
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