WEDNESDAY- 6th October, 2021: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Nigeria has recorded 6,746 adverse effects since the commencement of COVID-19 vaccination.

So far, 191 serious and 6,555 non-serious adverse effects cases have been recorded by the health agency.

The Executive Director of the Agency, Faisal Shuaib in a briefing in Abuja said disclosed that, all cases reported have been managed in the health facility and individuals have fully recovered and back to their normal daily living.

He said“As part of our transparency process to Nigerians and the Media, we would be providing you with figures of the adverse event following immunization reported.

“In this phase of the vaccination process, 191 serious and 6,555 non-serious AEFI (Adverse event following immunization) cases were reported.

“All cases reported were managed in the health facility and individuals have fully recovered and back to their normal daily living.”

The agency’s director also noted that Nigeria will be receiving more doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access, (COVAX), facility.

“We anticipate that the vaccines will be quite large in amount, and therefore will require more efficient and faster ways of utilizing them including expanding access to the vaccines.

“We have therefore started implementing the decentralisation of vaccine utilisation by involving the private sector in the vaccine administration.

“Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are available at Government health facilities only. As we decentralise, private health facilities that meet the set criteria will be allocated COVID-19 vaccines, after due training of their immunization service providers.

“Vaccinations in private health facilities will continue with the help of Government health officials. Subsequently, clients will be able to access COVID-19 vaccines at both government and private health care facilities in the country.

“This will be done at different levels which would include the States and Local Governments. We are taking every caution to ensure that when implemented, the decentralisation policy is not corrupted.”

Shuaib noted that private healthcare facilities will be carefully selected based on transparent eligibility criteria, and supervision will be maximised to ensure discipline and compliance with safety measures.