Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) has announced that cholera vaccines will soon arrive in Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that GAVI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sania Nishtar made the announcement through a post on X.
Nigeria is currently battling an outbreak of Cholera which is a food and water-borne disease caused by ingestion of Vibrio cholerae in contaminated water and food.
3,623 suspected cases and 103 deaths have been recorded in 34 states.
Director-general of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris had last month revealed that coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Ali Pate had entered into discussions with Gavi over the supply of cholera vaccines to the country.
He noted that cholera vaccines will soon arrive in Nigeria to help curb the ongoing outbreak.
The DG said, “We stand ready to work with our partners, UNICEF and WHO, to support Minister Muhammad Pate, Nigeria’s federal ministry of health, and the NCDC’s timely efforts to contain this outbreak and protect those at highest risk.”
“Despite the large number of cholera outbreaks this year, our stockpile is now fully replenished, and production continues at maximum capacity.”
“We hope to keep supporting cholera-affected countries with their control plans.”
Responding to the statement on X, minister of health thanked Nishtar for assisting in early access of the vaccine in the nation.
He assured that the vaccines would arrive in the country efficiently and effectively.
Pete wrote, “Thanks also to President Tinubu for his astute leadership in setting up a multi-sector cabinet committee to support the Emergence Operations Center led by NCDCgov to work with our 36 states in a national response to the outbreak.”
“We are seeing early signs of slowing down, but we’ll not relent as the situation can reverse. So, the cholera vaccines strengthen our hands.
“We are also accelerating efforts to improve the situation of water and sanitation in short and medium terms, through my colleagues in the Ministries of Water Resources and Environment, as well as subnational governments, the private sector, and civil society.”
“Thanks to @UNICEF_Nigeria for their technical support and advocacy.”
