The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme has resumed after a delay due to logistics.
The programme which was supposed to commence on August 10, was delayed due to ‘administrative reasons’, according to the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.
The resumption of vaccination in the country comes after Nigeria took delivery of over four million doses of the Moderna vaccine from the United States of America.
According to data collated by the Nigerian center for Disease Control, only one percent of the population has been vaccinated so far.
The flag off ceremony, held at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha.
Also Present were the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu and the Medical Director of the FMC, Professor Aliyu Ahmed.
Apart from the over four million Moderna doses, the government has also taken delivery of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
The single-shot J&J vaccine was acquired through the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), with support from Afrexim bank.
The J&J vaccines are expected to be deployed in hard-to-reach areas, to eliminate the need for travel for a second dose.
More of the J&J vaccines are expected in the country soon.
According to Health Minister, Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria has procured nearly 40 million doses of the J&J vaccines through AVAT.
