Why Kogi has yet to receive Covid-19 vaccines – NPHCDA

THE National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, has explained why Kogi is the only state that has yet to receive doses of Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccines.

Speaking at the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), yesterday, the NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr Faisal Shuaib, said Kogi State has no facility to receive its share of the vaccines.

Shuaib said, “All States except Kogi have received their Vaccines. Kogi State was yet to receive due to the non-repair of their Cold-Chain Store coupled with the State’s concerns around the contradictory information about the vaccines.

“The vaccination application has been launched in most States’ Treatment Centres even against distractions and criticism of the FG’s efforts to ensure availability of vaccines in the Nation.

“The roll-out of the vaccines across Healthcare Front-line Workers and other Health Support Staff was scheduled to commence by March 15, 2021, in some States, with the intention of wider coverage after the training of the States’ Health workers across board.”

Dr Faisal, however, informed NEC that “the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had been co-opted to support the PTF on Vaccine Accountability to ensure the safekeeping of the vaccines” and ensure accountability in the distribution of the vaccines.

He added that “there was a need for tight security around the Vaccines in the States to avoid being vandalized by hoodlums.

Meanwhile, there was a plan to commence weekly record of a dashboard showing level and efficacy of the inoculation by the end of Monday, March 15, 2021.”

The NPHCDA boss also assured council that the second tranche of the Vaccines would be received in the country before the second dose of the Vaccines intake is concluded.