The Federal Government has approved vaccine booster shots for eligible Nigerians who are fully vaccinated.
This was announced by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, as the Omicron variant rises globally with Nigerian travellers being banned in Singapore and Canada.
Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Friday in Abuja, that the decision was reached, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the agency.
What the PSC is saying
Dr. Shuaib stated that the booster shots are for those that had completed the two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or one dose of Johnson and Johnson.
Those eligible include any person of 18 years and above, time interval of six months or more after receiving the second dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech.
“Time interval of two months or more after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“Consequent upon the above, eligible Nigerians are advised to visit the nearest health facility or mass vaccination sites for their booster doses as from Dec.10, 2021 across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT,” he said while adding that a booster shot gives more protection against the vaccine.
According to Shuaib, a COVID-19 booster dose gives greater protection against the virus and urged all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The NPHCDA also announced that as at December 2nd, 2021, in 36 States + the FCT. 6,887,362 of total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination reached with first dose while 3,720,695 of total eligible persons targeted for COVID-19 vaccination reached with second dose (fully vaccinated).
