First Nigerian To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In The Country Emerges

A medical doctor, Cyprian Nyong working with the National Hospital, Abuja made history on Friday as the first person to get the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine within Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Nigeria received its first batch of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday with the government setting up modalities to vaccinate its citizens.

However, on Friday, Dr. Nyong became the first person to get the vaccine jab with the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, describing the moment as a “watershed”

Also, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said it was crucial “to first cater for those who cater for us”.

After the doctor, others who were also vaccinated on Friday were Nurse Faith E. Eragbai, Dr. Nuru Joseph and Dr. Thairu Yunusa – all frontline health workers.

Earlier, Naija News had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will on Saturday receive shots of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccines.

This was disclosed at the Presidential Villa on Thursday by the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib.

He stated that the exercise will boost the confidence of Nigerians to receive the about four million doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine shipped into the country this week.

The NPHCDA boss urged Nigerians who wish to receive the vaccines to register on the website of the agency.

Similarly, the 36 state governors in Nigeria and their deputies will get the COVID-19 vaccine jab next week Wednesday, 10th Of March 2021.

This was part of the decisions reached during the emergency meeting of the governors which held virtually on Thursday, 4th March.

As part of resolutions from the meeting which was presided over by the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, the governors are also to step up sensitization campaigns in their various domains.

Furthermore, the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello- Barkindo, confirmed that the Governors also resolved during the meeting to provide adequate protection and storage for the vaccines.

Bello-Barkindo also explained that it was also agreed that government leadership and frontline health workers are to receive the vaccines first starting March 6th 2021, with the President and the Vice President.