As Nigeria expects more COVID-19 vaccine in the coming month, federal government yesterday said it has commenced implementing the decentralisation of the utilisation of vaccine by involving the private sector in the administration of the vaccine.
It said it will henceforth allocate vaccine to private facilities that met the standard requirements and criteria set by the government inline with the COVID-19 set down rule.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib who stated this at the Weekly Press Briefing on the Update of the COVID-19 Vaccination in Nigeria in Abuja yesterday said the decision was to enable Nigerians access COVID-19 vaccination both at the government and private health facilities.
He said ithe strategy would allow quick distribution and administration of the additional vaccine that would be received by the government in the coming month.
The Executive Director said : “In the coming months, Nigeria will be receiving more doses of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX facility. We anticipate that the vaccines will be quite large in amount, and therefore will require more efficient and faster ways of utilizing them including expanding access to the vaccines.
“We have therefore started implementing the decentralisation of vaccine utilisation by involving the private sector in the vaccine administration. Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are available at Government health facilities only.
“As we decentralize, private health facilities who meet the set criteria will be allocated COVID-19 vaccines, after due training of their immunization service providers. Vaccinations in private health facility will continue with the help of Government health officials.
“Subsequently, clients will be able to access COVID-19 vaccines at both government and private health care facilities in the country.
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“This will be done at different levels which would include the States and Local Governments. We are taking every caution to ensure that when implemented, the decentralization policy is not corrupted. Private health care facilities will be carefully selected based on transparent eligibility criteria, and supervision will be maximized to ensure discipline and compliance with safety measures.
“The goal, as I said is to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and to ensure rapid and safe vaccine utilization”.
The NPHCDA boss used the forum to call on eligible persons, 18 years and above who are yet to be vaccinated to visit any of the vaccination sites, register and receive COVID-19 vaccine.
He also urged those who have received their first dose of either AstraZeneca or Moderna to check their cards for due dates and proceed to get their second doses
