The federal government, through the Ministry of Finance has released N10 billion to support local production of vaccines in Nigeria and has begun exploring options for its production in the country.
This is as government said it has mandated the all the 774 local governments to carry out a minimum of 450 tests, as government ramp up testing plans.
Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health who stated this on Monday during the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 containment briefing in Abuja, said government is exploring options for licensed production in collaboration with recognized institutions as well as options for the production of the vaccines in the country.
“While we are working to develop our own vaccines, Nigeria is exploring options for licensed production in collaboration with recognized institutions, we are also exploring the option of local production of the vaccines in country. While we are working to develop our own vaccines, we are also exploring the option of local production of the vaccines in country” the minister said.
With Nigeria currently expecting 100,000 doses of vaccines by the end of January, and over 40 million from COVAX, Ehanire noted that “apart from the COVAX facility, which is billed to cover just 20% of our population, the government plans to increase it’s chances of getting enough vaccines to meet the country’s need to cover an additional 50% of the population”
The Minister also disclosed that 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 270 million doses of various types of vaccines.
He added that Nigeria has written to express interest in 10 million doses of the viral vector vaccine, which could be supplied as from March 2021, bearing in mind options suitable for our environment and the available infrastructure, as well as Investment in delivery.
Ehanire revealed that preparation for covid-19 vaccine requires that countries determine criteria for prioritization, develop a robust vaccine distribution strategy and identify vaccine administration sites and teams.
“It also requires that countries develop a procurement, supply chain and distribution plan for commodities and devices, as well as a sustainability plan. These we are already working on so that we are ready when the vaccines arrive” he said.
The Ministry of Health, he said, shall hold a National Vaccine Conference, as part of preparations, to mobilize experts, role players, Development Partners and stakeholders to create a unified and strategic front for the provision and vaccination of Nigerians against COVID 19.
“The Conference will also provide a platform for deliberation on our covid-19 response strategy especially at this time of spike in cases.
“We shall engage other FMOH Agencies, especially NAFDAC and NCDC, State governments, Religious, Traditional and community leaders, in plans for vaccines distribution, since their role is critical to the orderly and successful deployment of vaccines. We must be able to reach all those eligible to receive the vaccines”, he added.
Speaking on the reports of claims by some persons in Nigeria, to have COVID-19 vaccines for sale in the country, Ehanire advised all citizens to disregard the claims as they are “criminal.”
“There are procedures for vaccine acquisition and use which include appropriate regulation and certification by NAFDAC. I advise against fake vaccines, as there is no vaccine approved for use in the country and NPHCDA is the only authorized vaccine administrator in Nigeria”, Ehanire said.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s positivity rate increased from 14% to 20% last week, adding that 50,750 samples tested 10,300 was confirmed positive.
“It means 1 out of every 5 persons tested in the last one week turned out positive compared to the previous week” he said.
The NCDC boss, Chikwe Ihekweazu, while also speaking called for more private lab support in testing if the Covid-19 virus. He lamented that Nigeria unlike other countries places more burdens on the public lab.
He explained that between January 2020 to January 2021, the PTF has activated 112 labs as part of plans to strengthen capacity to test for Covid in Nigeria.
According to him “74 are Public sector lab, 33 for private of which Lagos alone has 18 labs, Abuja 9, 5 in other states, while the rest are Corporate labs serving the community around them.
“Unfortunately we have not fully uptimized the capacity of the private lab yet. If you look at South Africa, 60% of all the test it was done was from the private lab. In Nigeria 30% of the over 1million test that has been done is by the private sector. The public sector still bears the burden of being tested.”
Ihekweazu noted that the rising number of covid-19 cases and the need for testing provides an opportunity for the private sector to get more involved. He said a framework has been developed for private sector participation, and promised to send a team of supporters for activation of any private lab in any part of the country.
He noted that despite the drive for vaccines in the country, testing remains relevant even in times to come.
Speaking on schools resumption, the NCDC DG , urged both parents and teachers to take collective responsibility in ensuring compliance to the Covid-19 protocols.
