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Nigeria has proceeded on COVID-19 vaccines discussion with Russia and India to avoid dependency of Phizer- BioNTech vaccine or any other that require ultra cooling facilities, Reuters reports.
This information is coming from Faisal Shuaib, Chief of Primary Healthcare Agency during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday, Reuters adds.
Having decided on 100, 000 doses of Phizer- BioNtech vaccine, it is also looking for other options easier to manage. It expects to get the Phizer COVID-19 vaccines in early February.
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COVID-19 Vaccines in Nigeria
Handling the Pfizer vaccine in Nigeria is also going to be a steep process knowing the complexities involved. The vaccine needs a huge sub-zero (-70°C or -112°F), special purpose cooling boxes loaded with ice for its transportation.
Pfizer vaccine also has a shelf life of five days before it becomes ineffective.
According to the Chief, Nigeria has no interest over-investing in ultra cooling equipment for COVID-19 vaccines like that of Pfizer.
“We are currently engaged in talks with Russia and India to get more vaccines,” Shuaib said.
He did restate that the goal is to vaccinate 70% of Nigeria’s 200 million inhabitants within the next two years. However, COVID-19 vaccine rollout plans as analysed by the pandemic review panel of the World Health Organization suggests that availability will be scanty in Africa in 2021.
Health authorities in Nigeria had been working with the organisation on the COVAX programme, which targets vaccine provision for poorer countries.
COVID-19 confirmed cases in Nigeria is now at 112,004 with 1,449 recorded deaths.
For all of 2020, the number is lower than in most other countries. However, Nigeria is now experiencing a second wave of infections which appears to lead a surge the last weeks.
