By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Government announced on Thursday that it would start administering COVID-19 booster dose today Friday, December 10.
Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said this during the flag-off of COVID-19 mass vaccination for refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons at Waru Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, Abuja.
He said the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech vaccine would be used for the booster dose across the country.
“It is pertinent to reiterate the fact that the Nigerian COVID-19 vaccination programme is science-driven.
“Evidence has shown that the booster dose further increases protection against the virus. Eligibility for the booster dose includes being 18 years and above, fully vaccinated with either two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“The time interval before the booster dose is at least six months for these vaccines, except the Johnson and Johnson which is at least two months,” he said.
He added that as a result of Government’s commitment to all Nigerians, COVID-19 vaccines were now accessible in all public, primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities, private health facilities, worship centres, schools, markets, motor parks, shopping malls.