Anambra Govt to Commence COVID-19 Vaccination

By Chukwudi Ndubeze

Anambra State government has declared its readiness to commence COVID-19 Vaccination to help eliminate spread of virus across the state.

This was made known, Tuesday, by the State Commissioner for Health, Ogochukwu Vincent Okpala during a press briefing with a team of journalists at the state Secretariat, Awka, stating that the vaccination will commence on March 18th 2021.

Explaining the importance of the vaccine, Okpala noted that the proposed COVID-19 vaccine introduction is to slowdown and disrupt transmission of COVID-19 outbreak in the State.

Okpala who confirmed that Anambra state government have obtained 78,810 doses of the vaccine assured the people of the state the authenticity of the vaccine, noting that it was certified having undergone scientific processes.

“Nigeria took delivery of an estimated 4m doses of the Oxford/Astra Zeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, out of which Anambra state received 78,810 doses. His Excellency officiated our first symbolic shots on March 12, 2021. The vaccine we have received is the product of a rigorous scientific process. And has been certified as safe by multiple agencies abroad. It has also been certified by local agencies like NAFDAC.”

He told journalists that the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency has been positioned to ensure effective and efficient introduction of the vaccine in the State in a phased manner as directed by the National Strategic team stating that the target groups for the phase 1 vaccination listed in order of priority are the Frontline Health Workers including people who work in isolation/COVID-19 treatment centers leaders and security agencies.

While restating the resolve of the Anambra State Primary Heath Care Development Agency at ensuring that the COVID – 19 vaccine introduction is very successful in the State, he reminded that the state government has planned and embarked on several activities that include sensitization of various stakeholders and trainings that will be cascaded from State to local government levels.

He noted that, at the elapse of the trainings at various level, the ministry will commence vaccination on Thursday 18th which will last to Saturday 27th March, 2021 while the Vaccination will be carried out at the designated health facilities averaging 3-5 vaccination centers per local government area.

Earlier, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr ( Mrs) Chioma Ezenyimulu  said the state has been in battle with COVID-19 virus including contact tracing, case finding and isolation. She beckoned on the people of the state to participate fully in the vaccination process ,stating it is at the stage of hope with the introduction of the vaccine.

She informed that the sensitization and trainings was ongoing and noted that the vaccination will undergo four stages starting with the front line health workers before getting down to the later stages.

The WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu commended the state government for its proactive measures in curbing the spread of the virus and expressed readiness to always provide support where necessary.