‘Why FG tasked civil servants on evidence of COVID-19 vaccination’

• China to help Nigeria cushion effects of pandemic
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) has said the directive by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 that all federal civil servants show evidence of COVID-19 vaccination 2021 was based on advise by public health experts.

The agency has also concluded plans to establish mass vaccination sites across the country.

Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, stated this during an update on COVID-19 vaccination, yesterday, in Abuja.

He observed that there is loss of productivity with attendant economic impact when workers are unable to come to work due to infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

He said: “This provision is applicable to all Federal Government institutions. The decision to release this advisory was not taken lightly. It is part of the PSC and Federal Ministry of Health’s mantra to always use scientific evidence to make decisions for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

On the question of availability of vaccines, Shuaib said: “We have already done a compressive analysis and forecast of COVID-19 vaccines. We have enoug Federal Government employees and we are expecting even much more. Based on delivery forecasts from the COVAX facility and the African Union, Nigeria will have adequate vaccines to cover more that 50 per cent of eligible populations by the end of the first quarter of 2022.”

In order words, do not worry about the availability of vaccines. We have the supply chain figured out.”

Meanwhile, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has partnered with China on fight against effects of post-COVID-19 to achieve sustainable peace, security and development in Nigeria.

Director General of IPCR, Dr. Bakut Tswah Bakut, disclosed this during the International Symposium themed, ‘Africa-China All Round Cooperation Under Multilateral Framework: Achieving Sustainable Peace, Security And Development In Post COVID-19’, organised by IPCR in Abuja.

In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, noted that China would continue to help Nigeria recover from the effects of the pandemic.