The Federal Government says it has received over 3 million doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines from Italy.
The donation of Italy brings the total number of vaccine doses to Nigeria through the COVAX facility, to 20 million.
Speaking during the official handover of the J&J vaccines to the Federal Government in Abuja, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, assured Nigerians that there were enough vaccines to cater to the country.
He said: “You would recall that in February, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and NPHCDA, formally rolled out the administration of the J&J vaccine across the country. I must say that this has rapidly improved our coverage.
“Let me assure you that these vaccines, like all other vaccines we have in-country, will be judiciously utilized, as we have instituted accountability in the COVID-19 vaccination program to ensure efficient use of all available resources.”
Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, said: “Italy remains committed, along with other European Union members, to support Nigeria’s vaccine needs, to help to expand global vaccine coverage. Providing single-shot vaccines reduces logistical challenges and ensures a faster treatment of Nigeria’s government vaccination goals.”
