The Presidential Steering Committee in collaboration in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency has approved the administration of booster doses for persons that have completed 2 doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson.
The administration of the booster doses will commence on 10th of December, 2021 across all states of the federation.
According to the Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, eligibility criteria for taking the booster dose includes any person 18 years and above, time interval of 6 months or more after receiving the second dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech, time interval of 2 months or more after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
Shuaib, explained that a COVID-19 booster dose gives greater protection against the virus and urged all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He appealed to eligible Nigerians to visit the nearest health facility or mass vaccination site for their booster doses as from the 10th of December, 2021 across all states of the federation.
The list of the vaccination sites is available on the NPHCDA website: www.nphcda.gov.ng
According to Reuters, many countries are rolling out COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, but there is no consensus among scientists that they are necessary and the World Health Organization wants the most vulnerable people worldwide to be fully vaccinated first. read more
Concern over the Omicron coronavirus variant has led some countries to expand their booster programmes.
For instance, the US. health regulators on Nov. 19 expanded eligibility for booster shots to all fully-vaccinated adults.
U.S. CDC said on Nov. 30 everyone over 18 should get a booster shot as Omicron’s emergence emphasizes the importance of vaccination.
Also, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization is recommending booster shots of an authorized mRNA vaccine to those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
In addition, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), on Nov. 24 recommended vaccine boosters for all adults, with priority for those over 40. Previously it had suggested the extra doses should be considered for frail older people and those with weakened immune systems. (Guardian)
