Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, says
statements suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines administered in Nigeria are not UK
approved are “completely untrue” and should be disregarded.
In a press release on Saturday, Laing said the UK approves
of vaccines currently in use in Nigeria irrespective of the manufacturer.
She said the UK has so far donated 1.2 million vaccines to
Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to support the country in accessing
COVID-19 vaccines.
She encouraged all eligible Nigerians to get vaccinated in
order to help stop the spread of the virus.
“The UK is committed to global access to vaccines, and is
among the largest funders to COVAX. The UK has donated 1.2 million vaccines
specifically to Nigeria through COVAX and will continue to provide support,”
Laing said.
“The UK strongly supports the work of the Nigerian health
authorities and Nigeria’s vaccination campaign, and strongly encourages all
eligible residents in Nigeria to get vaccinated. Only once we are all vaccinated can we end
the spread of COVID-19.
“I would like to emphasise that any statements that COVID-19
vaccines administered in Nigeria are not approved by the UK are completely
untrue. The UK recognises the Oxford-Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson
and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines used in Nigeria, irrespective of where they are
manufactured.”
Speaking about rules concerning international travel to the
UK, the high commissioner said the UK is using the COVID-19 vaccination
certification process to ensure people enter the country safely.
She said from October 4 the current travel system will be
simplified and Nigeria which is currently on the amber list will be added to
the ‘rest of the world’ list with simplified travel measures.
“The UK is committed to opening up international travel and
we are using our COVID-19 vaccination certification process to enable those
wishing to enter the UK to do so safely. We know this matters hugely to many
people in the UK and in Nigeria – the extensive people-people ties between our
two countries are at the heart of our bilateral relationship,” she said.
“From 4 October, the current system will be simplified.
There will be a single red list of countries and territories where stricter
rules apply, and there will also be a ‘rest of the world’ list, with simplified
travel measures. The ‘rest of the world’ list will include countries currently
on the UK’s amber list, such as Nigeria.”
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