ENUGU– Enugu State Government alongside Ebonyi and Anambra states, on Wednesday, took delivery of the first batch of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, codenamed AZD1222 is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca given by intramuscular injection; AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 has an efficacy of 63.09% against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and the recommended dosage is two doses given intramuscularly (0.5ml each) with an interval of 8 to 12 weeks(World Health Organization).
The AZD1222 vaccine arrived at the Enugu airport at about 2:50pm via Allied Air and was received by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. George Ugwu, and heads of Development Partners in the state, such as World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, among others.
Addressing newsmen, Dr. Obi expressed joy that the long-awaited vaccine is now within reach.
On behalf of the state’s health sector, he expressed gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria, NPHCDA, the Enugu State government, Development Partners, and others whose input made the vaccine available in Nigeria and the state.
“It’s a thing of joy that one of the measures for stemming the tide of COVID-19 has arrived Enugu State and I encourage our people to embrace these measures that are being used to stem the tide of COVID-19,” Obi said.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the needed logistics for administering the vaccines such as health personnel, security, and storage facilities are on the ground while advising residents of the state not to relent in strictly observing other precautionary measures for the containment of the pandemic such as the use of facemasks, washing of hands with soap and running water and observing of social distancing.
Obi then revealed that the first phase of the vaccination will be administered effectively to health frontline workers, elderly people with underlying illnesses, and some key stakeholders in the state; the vaccination is free of charge, he said.
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