Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine: COVAX to provide 3.92m additional doses to Nigeria in July – NPHCDA

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced that Nigeria is to receive 3.92 million additional doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines from COVAX, by the end of July 2021.

The Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, made the announcement at a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja.

It would be recalled that Nigeria received its first consignment of 3.92 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Assess Facility, COVAX, on March 2, 2021.

COVAX, an initiative co-led by the vaccine alliance, GAVI, and the World Health Organisation (WHO), aims to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, by dividing about two billion doses across 92 low and middle-income countries.

The facility promises access to vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries’ population with an initial supply beginning in the first quarter of the year, to immunise three per cent of their populations.

“We now have information that Nigeria will get 3.92m doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca by the end of July or early August, 2021.

“As we receive additional information on the exact dates in August, we will provide an update regarding timelines and details of this,” Shuaib said.

The NPHCDA boss stated that a recent  research from Public Health England (PHE) shows that the Indian (Delta) variant B.1.617.2 was 92 per cent susceptible to Oxford/AstraZeneca.

“It is, therefore, comforting to know that the vaccine used in Nigeria can protect against this variant that caused high morbidity and mortality in India.

“However, it underscores the need for us to ramp up our vaccination to more Nigerians,” he stressed.

“I, therefore, urge all Nigerians who have received their first dose at  least six weeks ago to visit the nearest vaccination site to receive their second dose, for full protection against COVID-19 on or before June, 25 when we shall close the administration of the second dose.

“Recall that we officially closed the vaccination for the first dose on May 24, 2021. Since then, we have been inundated with requests by Nigerians to be vaccinated. In response, we have decided to reopen vaccination for the first dose from today.

“This means anyone 18 years and above, who has not been vaccinated should visit the nearest vaccination site for the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“For such persons, their second dose will be due in 12 weeks and by then we would have received the next consignment of vaccines,” Shuaib stated.

Shuaib, who urged Nigerians to continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 said:  “I want to ensure that everyone is aware that there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases in several African countries recently. Wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth in public spaces can save lives.

“A curfew remains in place from midnight until 4am every day. Indoor gatherings must be limited to 50 people, and are only permitted if all attendees abide by social distancing and wear face masks.

“And the government has introduced restrictions on incoming travel from high-risk countries and quarantine requirements to keep Nigerians safe,” he urged.

Shuaib added that with a virus like COVID-19, Nigerians must do their part to keep their communities safe.

Also speaking at the briefing, Dr Walter Kazadi, the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Nigeria, said the threat of a third wave of COVID-19 was real and was rising in the African Region, including Nigeria.

He added that a rapid rollout of COVID-19 vaccines was, therefore, important, while intensifying the COVID-19 preventive measures, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, washing your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue.

Kazadi said that while an increasing number of Nigerians were being fully vaccinated, there was a need for all to continue to adhere to the Non-Pharmaceutical interventions as recommended by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

Speaking earlier, a representative from UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Peter Hawkins, said it would be good for Nigerians to understand that the global supply chain for vaccines was limited.

Hawkins, who was represented by, Dr. Gupta Gagan, called on all health workers, essential workers and people with co-morbidity to ensure that they get vaccinated, as the country reopens administration of first doses.

“Do not miss this opportunity, you are much more at risk because of your profession and exposure and you are critical to continue the service delivery, this is another opportunity for you.

“And to those that have taken the first dose please ensure that you complete your immunization by taking the second dose, if you don’t take the second  dose, you do not only put yourself at risk, but deprive other Nigerians of the vaccination from COVID-19.  So please reach out to your nearest centre and take your second dose.”

Besides receiving the COVAX supplied Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines in March, recall that Nigeria received another 300,000 doses of the same vaccine from telecom giant, MTN, the same month.

On April 6, the government of India also delivered 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccines to Nigeria, bringing the total doses of vaccines in stock to about 4.4million.

Due to limited doses of the vaccine, the Nigerian government announced a pause in the vaccine rollout, once half of the about 4.4million doses in stock were exhausted to forestall stock out when those already vaccinated start returning for their second doses.

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is given in double doses. A person is required to come back for a second shot, some weeks after taking the first jab.