Prof. Saad Ahmed, CMD Federal Medical Center, Abuja.
Prof. Saad Ahmed, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, has advised Nigerians to take advantage of the website launched by government to register and make themselves available for COVID-19 vaccination.
Prof. Ahmed made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, as he expressed delight over the March 2, 2021 arrival of the first tranche of the COVID-19 vaccine into the country.
He urged Nigerians who were still skeptical about the COVID-19 vaccine to come out of their shells and get vaccinated against the deadly virus, saying the vaccine is safe.
The chief medical director commended the Federal Government over the received of 3.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the country.
The Federal Government on Tuesday received 3.92 million doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine shipped into Nigeria via the COVAX Facility, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO.
The government then launched a website to register Nigerians for the vaccination, through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Prof. Ahmed described the acquiring of the vaccines as show of commitment on part of the government toward the fight against the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
He added that “yes, it may not be enough to go around but at least we have quite a lot to start with. It is a serious commitment on the part of government and we are happy with the gesture.’’
He expressed hope that with the website the vaccination process would be quite smooth and the people that would be vaccinated would be prioritised in the first instance before we get additional doses.
“The government has started well by being transparent by opening of the registration point, which is online. Everybody can apply and then choose where he wants to take the vaccine and even the time he wants to go and do it”.
“ I will advised that there should be close monitoring of this process to ensure that everything goes on smoothly without necessarily bringing some negative narration into the whole thing. For now, I think we have seen positive attitude towards rolling out this vaccination.’’
Asked what the arrival of the vaccines meant for health workers, Ahmed said that it meant hope as Nigeria health workers were jubilating and waiting to be vaccinated
.
“As you know health workers are the front lines, they see what COVID-19 has brought upon the land and these vaccines have actually brought hope.
“They are looking forward to getting vaccinated and also calling on all other Nigerians to take a cue and get vaccinated as well.’’ (NAN)
