FG Releases N10 Billion For Local Production Of Vaccines

The Federal Government has revealed that it has released the sum of N10 billion in a bid to support the local production of COVID-19 vaccines.

Making this disclosure during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday, Osagie Ehanire, the minister of health revealed the country was exploring the option of local production of vaccines in the country.

READ ALSO: PTF Fears Nigerians May Be Reluctant To Take COVID-19 Vaccine

Ehanire disclosed that the Ministry of Finance released the N10 billion to support local production of the vaccines.

“While we are working to develop our own vaccines, Nigeria is exploring options for licensed production, in collaboration with recognised institutions," he said.

"We are also exploring the option of local production of the vaccines in the country.”

Further urging Nigerians to disregard claims that COVID-19 vaccines were already on sales in the country, Ehanire said the rumour carriers were criminals.

According to him, "There are procedures for vaccine acquisition and use, which include appropriate regulations and certification by the National Agency for Food and Drug and Administration and Control (NAFDAC)."

Further revealing that no vaccine had been approved for the country, the minister revealed that only the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) had the exclusive authority to administer vaccines vaccine in the country.

Expressing worries over the upsurge in fresh COVID-19 cases, Ehanire who pointed out that one out of 5 persons tested last week was positive highlighted the need for a new strategy in the heat of the second wave of the virus.

“There is no doubting the fact that we are deeply into the second wave of the pandemic which requires that PTF and the Federal Ministry of Health review our strategies to respond to the challenge," Ehanire said.

He further revealed that the Federal Ministry of Health has outlined three approaches to confront the pandemic, which includes infection mitigation, therapeutics, and vaccines.