Judging my Nigeria’s fast–paced COVID-19 vaccination exercise, the country’s total number of vaccinated people may reach two million this week.
According to data released by Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), as at 8 May 2021, Nigeria has vaccinated a total of 1, 653, 292 persons. Moreover, the country is hinging closer to reaching the total number of persons targeted with the vaccine, having reached 82% of target.
According to the COVID-19 vaccine coverage breakdown made available by the NPHCDA, coverage is highest in Zamfara state where 101% of targeted individuals have been reached. Zamfara state is followed by Kwara (97%), Lagos and Enugu (92%), Osun (91%) and Borno (90%). At the bottom of the list are Imo and Rivers (60%), Kogi (64%), Sokoto (64%) Bayelsa (65%) and Anambra (66%).
Nigeria is able to quickly rollout the vaccine by being able to deploy various channels for vaccine rollout including administering doses to thousands of youths participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“The federal government of Nigeria is still conducting Nationwide COVID-19 Vaccination. In addition to health workers, frontline workers aged 18 years and above, and persons aged 50 years and above are advised to visit designated vaccination sites to receive the vaccine free of charge,” the agency said in a statement.
On April 30, the leadership of the agency met the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Dr. Ahmed Audi during which he announced over 50,000 men and women of the corps will get their vaccinations.
