Why Lagos Shut COVID-19 Vaccination Centres ― Abayomi

The Lagos State Commissioner For Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has explained the reason behind the closure of COVID-19 vaccination centres across the state.
According to a statement by Prof. Abayomi on Wednesday, the closure of the centres was due to the conclusion of the first phase of vaccination in line with the directive of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The Lagos State Commissioner For Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has explained the reason behind the closure of COVID-19 vaccination centres across the state.

The COVID-19 vaccination, which commenced in Lagos State on March 12, 2021, was brought to a halt after the state disclosed it has vaccinated 257,756 people in the first phase.

According to a statement by Prof. Abayomi on Wednesday, the closure of the centres was due to the conclusion of the first phase of vaccination in line with the directive of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The commissioner stated that the conclusion of the first phase, which took an average of 20 days, followed the directive of the Federal Government to stop vaccination once half of the consignment had been administered so that those who received the first dose will have an opportunity for the second dose.

Abayomi said, “This will ensure that at least 1% of Lagos residents receive the full complement of doses required to enable the protection the vaccine promises.

“The target to achieve effective herd immunity is vaccination of at least 60% of the Lagos State population. The exercise lapsed on Tuesday 13th April 2021. Consequently, the Government has shut down all its vaccination centres.

“Lagos State got 507,000 doses of the 3.92 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine facilitated through support from the COVAX facility to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

The Lagos State Commissioner enjoined the residents of the state to check their vaccination cards for their next appointment dates and where possible to try to visit the same health facilities where they got their initial dose for their second dose.