NPHCDA asks Nigerians to be wary of Indian COVID-19 variant

June 1, 2021 8:09 pm

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says there are significant concerns about the threats posed by the Indian variant of COVID-19.

Faisal Shuaib, NPHCDA executive director, while giving an update on the status of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, asked Nigerians to be vigilant and observe all the stipulated guidelines in order to “prevent an uncontrolled outbreak”.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Shuaib said a total of 1,956,598 Nigerians have been vaccinated — the figure includes 73,465 people have received their second of vaccine across the 36 states and the FCT.

He added that Nigeria is expected to receive its next batch of vaccines from the COVAX facility between July and September.

“I want to encourage all Nigerians to remain vigilant. Each and every one of us must follow social distancing, mask-wearing, and curfew guidelines. Significant concern remains about the threat posed by the coronavirus B.1.617.2 variant, also known as the Indian variant, which is observed to be a highly contagious triple-mutant strain of the coronavirus,” Shuaib said.

“In England, cases of the variant have doubled in one week alone. It is very important that we take all the necessary precautions set out by the government to prevent an uncontrolled outbreak here in Nigeria.”

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Shuaib explained that special vaccination sites have been provided for people who relocated to receive their second vaccine doses in their new areas of residence.

“It is also possible that due to certain circumstances, some of the sites used for the first dose vaccination may no longer be available. In this case, you are kindly advised to go for your second dose at the nearest vaccination post,” he said.