COVID-19: Nigerians Won’t Pay For Vaccine – FG

The federal government on Wednesday disclosed that Nigerians would not have to pay for COVID-19 vaccine as it would be administered for free when vaccination eventually commences.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Sani Aliyu, national coordinator, presidential taskforce on COVID-19 (PTF), made the disclosure when featured on Channel TV’s Sunrise Daily.

Aliyu said the GAVI arrangement would make it possible for over 40 million Nigerians have access to the vaccine.

GAVI is a vaccine coalition formed to find lasting solution to the global scourge occasioned  by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVAX vaccine is the brainchild of the coalition.

COVAX is one of the three platforms that grants access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) accelerator. It was launched in April by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Commission and France.

It brought together governments, manufacturers, scientists, the private sector, philanthropy and the civil society in response to the pandemic and ensuring even and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine and treatments when available.

Speaking on Wednesday, Aliyu said President Muhammadu has given order to concerned stakeholders to ensure the availability of vaccine in the country.

“Yesterday, the president gave the PTF the mandate to proceed with preparations with regard to the vaccine,” Aliyu said..

“Making use of the GAVI arrangement, we already have assurance that 20 percent of our population will be accommodated by GAVI in the vaccine”

He said the country did not need to pay for the vaccine under GAVI arrangements, adding that the batches of vaccine expected would reach over  40 million Nigerians.

Read Also: FG Needs N400bn For COVID-19 Vaccines – Minister of Health Tells Senate

He, however, said, the cost of operations and the logistics that would come with ensuring availability of the vaccine in the country would be borne by the federal government.

When asked if the vaccine would be administered free, Aliyu said, “of course, of course”.

Aliyu disclosed that there were plans to buy more vaccines besides the GAVI arrangement, noting that the Pfizer vaccine was the most potent and efficient at the moment.

“We are also planning to pay for an additional 20 to 40 percent. In general, over the next two years, at least 70 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated before we can have enough herd immunity,” he said.

The PTF national coordinator admonished Nigerians not to throw caution to the wind because of the availability of vaccine, he impored them not to ignore safety measures and health protocols already in place.

“Just to make it clear to the general public, even if we have the vaccine available tomorrow in Nigeria, the epidemic will not change,” he said.