By John Ikani
The Nigerian Government has disclosed plans to carry out COVID-19 vaccination in churches on Sundays.
Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Faisal Shuaib made the disclosure during at a meeting with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja.
He said: “I am glad to inform you that from this Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, we have introduced Sunday Vaccination.
“This is to ensure members of the Christian community who may not have had access to the vaccine for whatever reason are given an opportunity to be vaccinated at their worship places.
“I must say that feedback from the field is very encouraging and I sincerely thank all Christian leaders who have given the vaccination team access to their churches and their members to receive COVID-19 vaccine during Sunday service.”
He also reiterated that corporate vaccination for eligible staff of Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, Private/Corporate organizations, including faith-based organizations, their family members, dependents, and retirees, would be made available on request.
Responding on behalf of the Christian Leaders, the Executive Director, Nigeria Inter Faith Action Association, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, stressed the Importance of clerics in cascading messages of vaccine acceptability down to their members through the power of the pulpit.
What you should know
COVID-19 infections are decreasing in Nigeria, with 521 new infections reported on average each day. That’s 32% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on January 26.
There have been 199,538 infections and 2,619 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Nigeria has administered at least 5,712,019 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 1.4% of the country’s population.
During the last week reported, Nigeria averaged about 111,423 doses administered each day. At that rate, it will take a further 361 days to administer enough doses for another 10% of the population.
