As Nigeria records more cases of the Omicron Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) variants, the nation today (December 10) commenced the administration of booster shots to eligible Nigerians to protect against the dreaded disease.
Speaking at the flag-off of mass vaccination exercise of internally displaced persons (IDPs) yesterday in Abuja, the executive director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said the administration of booster doses to persons fully vaccinated with either two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine will begin today.
“The Federal Government reviewed the country’s vaccination programme and resolved to introduce the booster dose using the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech vaccine across the country. This will take effect from tomorrow, Friday, December 10, 2021.
“It is pertinent to reiterate the fact that the Nigerian COVID-19 vaccination programme is science-driven. Evidence has shown that the booster dose further increases protection against the virus.
“Eligibility for the booster dose includes being 18 years and above, fully vaccinated with either two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The time interval before the booster dose is at least six months for these vaccines, except the Johnson and Johnson which is at least two months.
“This is another opportunity to be further protected. I, therefore, urge all those who have taken the right decision to be fully vaccinated, to walk into the nearest vaccination site for their booster dose from tomorrow (Friday),” he said
The NPHCDA boss emphasized that taking the COVID-19 vaccine was not just an act of self-protection but a civic duty to curtail the spread of the virus in IDP camps and Nigeria.
He described the booster dose as “another opportunity to be further protected against COVID-19”, calling on eligible persons to go for the vaccination.
A coronavirus booster vaccine dose helps improve the protection after receiving the first two doses.
