Please share
..Says Victory Against COVID-19 Too Early
.
Nigerians are patronising black markets to procure vaccination cards,the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 .
Chairman of the committee and secretary to the Federation,Boss Mustapha raised the alarm at a stakeholders forum in Abuja
“We have received intelligence and even detected that some unscrupulous citizens are procuring vaccination cards through the black market. Let me assure everyone that the vaccination records/certificates will be verified and this should serve as a warning to those criminally minded persons to desist because they will be prosecuted accordingly”
He hinted that there are surges in cases in some countries in Europe (especially eastern Europe) due to under vaccination. In other territories where massive vaccinations have occurred, the infections are rising.
He said based on the latest development, travelers leaving the country are encouraged to be conversant with the Travel Protocols of all Countries (origin, transit and destination).
He said this has become necessary because of comments and reports in the media that some citizens are denied boarding due to lack of pre-departure protocol compliance. Others returning home also complained about requirements to be met. The protocols are clear and simple and they should be observed accordingly.
“The PSC has not briefed the nation for some time now but we have been working and monitoring the trends around the world so that the National Response can continue to be based on Data, Research and experience. The situation is still challenging, hence, the need to continue to strictly adhere to the non-pharmaceutical intervention measures.
“In our last briefing, we announced the Vaccine Mandate for 1st December, 2021. I will like to state that this is in the best interest of Nigeria looking at what is happening globally. We are gearing up to further engage with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to push through the mass vaccination programme and mandate for our citizens.
“The vaccination phase is being accelerated and the NPHCDA has concluded arrangements to roll-out a mass vaccination plan with effect from Friday, November 20, 2021. The PSC wishes to assure Nigerians that the NPHCDA has enough vaccines in the pipeline to vaccinate about 50% of the target population by the end of January, 2022. Efforts are also on-going to bring on board the booster dose so as to build a health level of anti-bodies. The ED-NPHCDA will brief on this.
“The National International Travel Protocol portal has been upgraded to meet existing protocol and the demands of our travelling public. The portal is now live and running smoothly”
Meanwhile,the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire,has implored Nigerians, not to declare victory over COVID-19 too early, says, it is a long haul for which the surest way so far is non-pharmaceutical intervention.
While adding Nigeria’s vaccine manufacturing aspirations are on track. We are working with the Private sector and have the full support of influential, Nigerians outside the country.
Ehanire made this known on at the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 Monday in Abuja, while hinting that, there are therefore still surprises coming up with the novel Corona virus, as it evolves. Nigeria is preparing along all established avenues, including participating in research and development. Several Nigerian groups are engaged in genomic sequencing and few in vaccine development, while NIPRID is working on phytomedicines research.
“But the most potent tool so far, to save lives, remains full vaccination in prescribed intervals, which has gone without incident around the world for so long now, that nobody should be having doubts about it, anymore. The vaccines we use are trusted, so I urge all citizens to drop their hesitancy and take the vaccines. It is commonplace in many foreign countries now that proof of Covid-19 vaccination is needed, in order to be admitted to restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs, even to board aircraft on international flights. This trend is intensifying around the world and will, no doubt, begin to take root in Nigeria in due course. I will not be surprised if domestic Nigerian Airlines start to demand vaccination cards, before boarding. I advise that, nobody should be left behind in vaccination, lest they face an embarrassing situation”.
“Nigeria has so far tested a total of 3,392,457 samples, of which 213,147 were confirmed positive for Covid-19, while active cases are 4,447 and cases discharged to date are 205,732. There have sadly been 2,968 covid-related fatalities with a case fatality rate of 1.39%;
“Bed occupancy in the week under review was 16.17% in 86 Isolation wards, and oxygen is widely available, mainly in cylinders, with oxygen concentrators as back up. There is no surge in demand. A review of oxygen situation in 125 treatment centres is ongoing, to also identify non-functional plants for repair.
“Majority of patients (67%) on admission in isolation wards have comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension obesity and other non-communicable diseases, which are known determinants of the severity of Covid-19 illness. The same finding has been made in some Eastern European countries where severe waves of Covid-19 are raging presently.
“Despite palpable fatigue among citizens on adherence to COVID-19 preventive protocols, I have hardly encountered any person who didn’t have a face mask. Oddly enough, they would leave their mask on their pocket or handbag and wear it on demand. Others wear it on their chin. The mask is not helpful anywhere except covering the mouth and nose. Global trends suggest that public health measures like masks and social distancing are still a very useful protection against infection. The present infection surge in certain European countries, who already had vaccination over 60%, is proof that full vaccination is no reason to drop our guard, or a guarantee against infection.
Also, the Director- General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa said NCDC will continue to deliver on its mandate to prevent, detect and respond to protect Nigerians from the deleterious impact of diseases of public health importance.
He said; “This has been greatly facilitated by the support of the Federal Government, collaboration with sister agencies and partners. For this ongoing pandemic, the NCDC actions include but are not limited to:Continued surveillance of cases using the digital surveillance tool, SORMAS nationwide; Support for the network of molecular laboratories set up diagnose COVID-19; Expansion of access to COVID-19 testing through the deployment of validated rapid diagnostic tests to improve surveillance; Management and expansion of the national stockpile for infectious diseases and delivery of needed commodities to support response of our States to outbreaks; and Consistent risk communication to Nigerians and the world at large on the latest national COVID-19 updates whether via social media, our website, these briefings and regular media engagements
Please share