COVID-19: 5 things Nigerian govt must do before the vaccines arrive
- The COVID-19 vaccine is now being distributed globally, bringing hope for the end of the coronavirus pandemic
- Nigeria is yet to receive any vaccine, but federal authorities say the first batch will arrive in the country soon
- The authorities in Nigeria are encouraged to take certain steps before the vaccines arrive
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Nigeria is awaiting the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccines into the country in March 2021 according to the authorities.
While many Nigerians await the arrival of the vaccines, some are skeptical about how they will be administered in a country of over 200 million people.
Already, the government has announced that President Muhammadu Buhari will receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on live TV to help drive awareness on the vaccine administration among Nigerians.
According to the federal government, Buhari along with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and other key personnel will be among the first set to receive the vaccine.
Source: Getty Images
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While this is commendable, efforts should also be made to ensure that the remaining doses get to the right people.
Legit.ng lists 5 important things the government must do before the vaccines arrive
They include:
1. The remaining doses after key government officials have been vaccinated should not be hijacked by political office holders and their kith and kin. Rather, frontline health workers and the elderly people in society should be given priority. Efforts should be made now to ensure this is adhered to strictly when the vaccines finally arrive.
2. The Presidential Task Force should ensure that the Pfizer vaccine is tested for its appropriateness and effectiveness so as to ensure that those who get vaccinated do not develop any complications.
3. The demography of the successful administration of the vaccines should also be sorted so as not to create chaos or a narrative of bias when it would be distributed among the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
4. The federal government must also rein on prominent Nigerians who continue to push the dangerous narrative that the vaccines are deadly and not good for humans. Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state who belongs to the governing party in the country has been at the forefront of these comments and should be cautioned.
5. More importantly, the arrival of the vaccines should not mean that the authorities should let their guard down in proving infallible services to patients and stem the tide of deaths in the country by flattening the curve.
Legit.ng had listed 10 important facts from health experts concerning the vaccine
Meanwhile, on Friday, January 15, the federal ministry of health released new protocols for religious centres to adhere to.
The protocols include 12 updated guidelines for religious gatherings to follow to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
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