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Nigerian government says it may expand access to coronavirus vaccination ahead of December deadline

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Following the federal government’s December deadline for civil servants to get the COVID-19 vaccination as a precondition for accessing their offices, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) has expressed its commitment to ramping up vaccine uptake across the country.

The agency said it had put in place plans for the establishment of mass vaccination sites across the country. It also said the government had begun to work on the possibility of enhancing the security features of the vaccination cards to limit forgery.

Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja that the objective of the strategy was to vaccinate a large number of people through big sites, such as federal institutions (universities, polytechnics), shopping malls, religious centres, sporting events, conference centres, and markets.

Shuaib said the agency had already done a comprehensive analysis and forecast of COVID-19 vaccines’ availability.

He said, “We have enough vaccines to cover more than this population of 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 than 50% of eligible populations by the end of the first quarter of 2022.”

Shuaib explained that the agency was currently enhancing the security features of the vaccination cards in order to limit forgery.

According to him, “We are working with relevant security agencies to make examples of these individuals, who may wish to buy or sell the cards by naming and shaming them. We are also enhancing the security features of our vaccination cards in order to limit forgery.”

The executive director said the exercise would require strong collaboration between NPHCDA, state governments, religious bodies, school authorities, and governing bodies of malls and large sporting events.

He said, “As we expand the vaccination sites, we encourage all eligible Nigerians to avail themselves for vaccination. I am also glad to inform you that we have commenced the process of decentralising COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria, to include private health care providers. This is to expand access and increase utilisation of the vaccines.”

Shuaib assured that decentralisation would not affect the federal government’s free vaccination policy, adding that COVID-19 vaccines would be administered free of charge at both government and private health facilities and the vaccination cards would be given free of charge after vaccination.

He, however, noted that private health facilities might need to charge for their hospital registration cards, which would be different from the COVID-19 vaccination cards.

Shuaib said in order to ensure a seamless decentralisation, the agency had begun the training of health workers in selected private health care facilities and the sensitisation of critical stakeholders to create awareness on the plan and criteria for involving the private sector in COVID-19 vaccination.

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He said the process of involving the private sector would be transparently done in line with the agency’s pledge of accountability to Nigerians.

On the supervision of private healthcare providers involved in COVID-19 vaccination, the NPHCDA boss said the agency was putting measures in place to ensure close and effective monitoring and supervision of participating private health facilities to ensure standards were not compromised.

He said interested private health facilities would be required to meet certain criteria, including having the requisite qualified health care workers, among others. To ensure delivery of the vaccines by private health facilities as expected, he said the agency would engage in regular supervisory visits to the facilities and provide clear rules of engagement to the participating facilities.

Shuaib gave an update on the vaccination efforts, saying as of the morning of October 14, a total of 5,246,523 eligible populations had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria, representing 4.7 per cent of Nigeria’s target population.

He further said the number of eligible persons fully vaccinated in Nigeria was now 2,546,094, representing 2.3 per cent of the target population.

Shuaib also gave an update on the outcome of the study on the vaccination exercise conducted in six states of the federation, namely Anambra, Borno, Edo, Katsina, Lagos, and Plateau. He said the overall aim of the observational study was to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in enrolled adult individuals of 18 years and above, who had received the authorised COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria for the purpose of safety signal detection.

Shuaib disclosed that Professor Akin Osibogun, a Professor of Community Medicine at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, led the study. He said the study sought to estimate the incidence of adverse events following immunisation with different brands of the COVID-19 vaccine in all enrolled immunised subjects.

Shuaib explained, “Findings of this study showed that 52.6 per cent of enrollees (1,284 were enrolled) reported non-serious adverse effects and only one subject or 0.08 per cent reported serious adverse effects in the first week following vaccination. None of the enrolled subjects, who reported adverse effects, required hospitalisation.

“The commonest reported symptoms among vaccines were tenderness at the injection site (20.9 per cent) and fever (20.3 per cent). Most of the reported symptoms (55.5 per cent) occurred within the first three days of vaccination while 40.2 per cent of the vaccines with reported symptoms could not recall time of onset of symptoms. “

But the adverse effects, he stated, were reported more in the older age groups, with 61.5 per cent of those older than 60 years reporting symptoms compared to 34.9 per cent of those aged 18-24 years.

He said the difference in age was statistically significant (p=0.003).

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Shuaib stated, “Those with pre-existing morbidities were also observed to have higher rates of reported symptoms (AEFIs) than those without pre-existing morbidities even though the observed difference was not statistically significant (p=0.551)

“The findings suggest that from the perspective of public communication, the vaccine is quite safe and the reported symptoms are mild and to be expected in the first three days following vaccination.

“Older vaccines are to be particularly counselled as to what to expect and not to panic as the symptoms are mild and time-limited. During this study, there was no report of Vaccine-induced COVID-19 or deaths related to the vaccines.”
US Donates over 3.5 million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine to Nigeria

Meanwhile, the United States has shipped in over 3.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines into Nigeria.

A statement yesterday from the US Embassy noted that the US Mission in Nigeria was pleased, “to announce the arrival of 3,577,860 doses of Pfizer vaccine for the public health and benefit of the Nigerian people through COVAX, the worldwide initiative ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.”

The statement further disclosed that the US shipment arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on October 14.

According to the statement, the shipment would bring the total number of US-bilaterally donated doses to Nigeria to over 7.5 million, noting that the US also contributed to the first multilateral donation of AstraZeneca vaccine in March 2021.

That meant that overall, COVAX has provided Nigeria with over 10 million doses to date.

“Safe and effective vaccines are our best tool to ending the pandemic. The United States has pledged to purchase and donate 1.1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses worldwide, and to date has delivered more than 180 million doses to more than 100 countries,” it added.

The US government pointed out that its continued efforts to provide vaccines to African Union (AU) member countries were to fulfil President Biden’s pledge when he said: “The United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home. We are sharing these vaccines to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic.”

The statement further noted that vaccine donations were part of the US government’s continued partnership with the government of Nigeria in combatting COVID-19.

“To date, the US government has provided $130 million of support to Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19. The US government is looking forward to continued coordination with Nigeria and its Center for Disease Control to deliver life-saving doses across the country through the COVAX initiative,” it added.

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COVID-19

FG launches national workplace policy on HIV/AIDS

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FG launches national workplace policy on HIV/AIDS

FG launches national workplace policy on HIV/AIDS

The Federal Government has launched the National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS, designed to instil a culture of inclusivity, compassion, and collective responsibility within the nation’s workplaces.

A statement issued on Friday by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment said the policy, launched in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation, was aimed at fortifying communities against the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, launched the policy in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 2023 World Day Against HIV/AIDS.

She described the launch of the policy as a remarkable milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to establishing workplaces that transcend mere places of employment.

“This policy stands as a comprehensive framework, recognising the unique role workplaces play in the lives of individuals and communities,” she said.

Onyejeocha noted that the policy would serve as a symbol of the dedication of the Federal Government to the well-being of the workforce and the prosperity of the nation.

The minister stated that the HIV/AIDS challenge required a comprehensive and collaborative response and called on all employers, employees, trade unions, and all other stakeholders to embrace and diligently implement the policy.

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Onyejeocha observed that the theme of the 2023 World Day Against AIDS, “Let Communities Lead,” captured the essence of collective endeavours and the crucial role that leadership and resilience of diverse communities play in the joint efforts to address the challenges caused by HIV/AIDS.

The minister also noted that this year’s theme called for a paradigm shift in the approach to the HIV/AIDS response and “recognises that communities are not passive recipients but pivotal leaders in the fight against the pandemic.

“By empowering communities, we fortify the foundation of our response and chart a more resilient and sustainable path forward.”

“Our communities, far from being mere recipients of interventions, emerge as active agents of change endowed with the ability to dispel stigma, raise awareness, and cultivate an environment marked by understanding and support.”

Earlier, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Emmanuel Igbinosun, noted that the policy emphasised a community-centric approach, recognising the unique role that workplaces play in the lives of individuals and communities.

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“It is designed to promote awareness and inclusion and to provide a framework for the prevention, support, and management of HIV/AIDS within the workforce,” he added.

Igbinosun described the National Policy on HIV/AIDS as a significant step forward in the collective commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Igbinosun remarked that the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day promoted the active participation of communities in shaping the narrative, dispelling myths, and providing support to those affected by HIV/AIDS.

On her part, the Country Director of ILO, Vanessa Phala, restated the commitment of ILO to supporting actions to strengthen the national response to HIV/AIDS.

Phala, represented by Stephen Agugua, urged all stakeholders to support the government’s effort to strengthen Nigeria’s national HIV and AIDS response and scale up policies and programmes on HIV across the country.

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FMC Owo MD faces ICPC probe over ‘N176m COVID-19 fund fraud

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FMC Owo MD faces ICPC probe over ‘N176m COVID-19 fund fraud.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has grilled the Medical Director (MD) of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Ondo State, Ahmed Adeagbo and one other over an alleged fraud involving N176 million COVID-19 intervention fund.

The Nation gathered that the ICPC office in Osogbo, Osun State, had sent a letter of invitation to Adeagbo and one other to appear before the commission.

It was learnt that the MD and an employee of the hospital arrived at the premises of the ICPC in GRA, Osogbo, around 11am for the interrogation that lasted for hours.

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The agency’s invitation, dated April 20, and addressed to the MD, also sought the presence of the Head of Finance and Accounts.

It stated that they should appear before the commission to show evidence of how the N176 million COVID-19 intervention fund and other monies were spent by the hospital’s management.

“You are to show the evidence of how the alleged amount of N186, 817,307 was spent with approvals and relevant documents, establish the purpose of the COVID-19 intervention funds and beneficiaries of the fund.”

When contacted on phone, the MD declined to comment on the ICPC his invitation.

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Coronavirus: Nigeria records increase in discharge cases – NCDC

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Coronavirus: Nigeria records increase in discharge cases – NCDC.

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control has said there is an increase in the number of discharge cases for the coronavirus pandemic.

The Center in a situation report released on Friday also said there was a decline in the number of samples tested from 83,642 recorded in Week 13 to 68,911 in Week 14.According to the report, the NCDC said 25 out of the 4,416 in-bound international travelers it tested were positive,which was a decrease compared to 70 reported in week 13.

However, there was an increase in the number of outbound travellers who tested positive to the virus in week 14 as compared to week 13. It read,”In Week 14, the number of in-bound international travellers tested was 4,416 of which 25 (0.6%) were positive compared to 70 (0.7%) (out of 9,483 tested) in week 13.

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“Also, the number of out-bound international travellers tested was 6,413 of which 33 (0.5%) were positive compared to 15 (0.2%) (out of 6,531 tested) in week 13.“The number of samples tested decreased to 68,911 from 83,642 reported in week 13.

These were reported in 36 states and FCT. Travellers from UK, US more positive in COVID-19 test results, says NCDCLassa fever hits 23 states, deaths now 127, says NCDC “In Week 14, the number of new confirmed cases decreased to 116 (0.2%) from 182 (0.2%) with no difference in the percentage test positivity reported in week 13.

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These were reported in 8 states and FCT.“The number of discharged cases increased to 131 from 89 in week 13. There were no deaths reported in the last one week.

Cumulatively, since the outbreak began in Week 9, 2020, 255,631 cases and 3,142 deaths have been reported giving a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.2%.Worldwide, there have been 499,119,316 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 6,185,242 deaths giving a case fatality rate of 1.2%.”

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