Nigeria’s COVID-19 response is the fourth most successful in the world, World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced.
Gatekeepers News reports that WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, disclosed this on Thursday at an event to mark the arrival of the first batch of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
When and how the ranking was done was, however, not revealed.
In Mulombo’s words: “We are witnessing the symbolic arrival of 177,600 Johnson & Johnson vaccines, another landmark event in Nigeria’s response to COVID-19 pandemic, widely acclaimed by many as one of the most successful so far in the world.
“Nigeria was ranked fourth among the top ten most successful responses to COVID-19.”
Mulombo lauded Nigeria’s preparation for the roll-out of the phase two vaccination and urged citizens to keep safe by adhering to the COVID-19 protocol.
“WHO had, on many occasions, commended the government, particularly the presidential steering committee (PSC), federal ministry of health (FMOH), and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), for the successful completion of the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out with the vaccination of the frontline workers and other priority groups who are at high risk of COVID-19.
“Nigeria’s preparation for the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination, involving more resources and logistics, is highly commendable.
“These vaccines are safe and effective and will be the game-changer. But for the foreseeable future, we must continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds.
“J&J vaccine is highly effective against the Delta variant and against severe disease, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.”
Gatekeepers News reports that Nigeria kicked off its first phase of vaccination with frontline healthcare workers in March and ended it in July.
The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination will commence on August 16.
