The Nigerian Federal Government has expunged that it is not forcing down the COVID-19 vaccine down the throat of any Nigerian.
Recall it was initially reported that the civil personnel must be vaccinated against COVID19, according to a directive by the federal government
Sequel to the initial report, The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, intimated that the vaccine is a choice and not a compulsory exercise, even though they are looking forward to seeing the majority of Nigerians get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
“The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC), on Wednesday, announced interventions to, not only protect the most vulnerable people in our society, but to also ensure that the work place is safe for all citizens. Clearly, there is loss of productivity and its impact on socio-economic development when workers are unable to come to work on a regular, and consistent basis due to outbreaks of an infectious disease such as COVID-19.
“The objective is to vaccinate a high volume of individuals through large sites such as federal institutions, shopping malls, religious centres, sporting events, conference centres, and markets etc. This will require strong collaboration between NPHCDA, state governments, religious bodies, school authorities and governing bodies of malls and large sporting events.
“As we expand the vaccination sites, we encourage all eligible Nigerians to avail themselves for vaccination. We have commenced the process of decentralising COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria, to include private health care providers. This is to expand access and increase utilisation of the vaccines which will not affect free vaccination policy.
