Fayemi: There’s nothing as good as manufacturing our own COVID-19 vaccines

Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, says there’s nothing as good as Nigeria manufacturing its own COVID-19 vaccines.

Nigeria is expecting vaccines from Pfizer, an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation, by the time end of January.

But Fayemi, who also chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, said it would be good to produce the vaccine locally rather than depend on it coming from other parts.

“I commended the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for at least, wanting to use Mr. President and the Vice President as their publicity vehicles for reassuring those who may have their doubts about vaccines use that, this is no threats to them,” he said.

“You know there are cultural and religious concerns in various parts and we are at the state level, we are reviewing that with all of our colleagues.

“But the good thing is, Mr. President has agreed with me that he would convey to the PTF the necessity of using other influencers, maybe the Chief Imams, the Bishops, top musicians, our sports personalities. Because, the more of such people are seen taking the vaccines the more the likelihood of resistance will break down in our various localities.

“So, we discussed that. Of course, procurement of vaccines we also discussed. Our view is that ultimately, we really need to ramp up manufacturing of vaccines locally. It’s okay that COVAX that Nigeria is part of is going to be delivering some vaccines to us. As we understand, the first 100,000 and then 43 million and ultimately 165 million doses. But, there is nothing as good as having the ability to manufacture our own vaccines locally.”

He said there is a partnership with May & Baker, which is important for the federal government so it can produce the vaccines here in Nigeria.

According to the governor, “the federal government is already part of the WHO-GAVI Alliance-COVAX partnership and from what we understand from the PTF, vaccines will come from that alliance.”

The issues raised with the president, Fayemi said, is the need to accelerate the delivery of vaccines to the country, so that it will be available to Nigerians.

He said the federal government can procure the vaccines, but state governments will receive and administer in their various states.

He added that governors will also demonstrate to citizens that the vaccine would work.