Covid-19 Vaccination: Ogun Commissioner Decries 2.81% of Nigeria Population

   Covid-19 Vaccination: Ogun Commissioner Decries 2.81% of Nigeria Population

The  Ogun State  Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Abdulwaheed  Odusile has said 2.81% of the Nigeria's population of 200 million had received at least one dose of covid-19 vaccination.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Hon. Abdulwaheed Odusile made this declaration while delivering his speech at a One- Day Media Advocacy meeting on covid-19 vaccination uptake at Rolak Hotel & Suites, Imowo, Ijebu-Ode .

According to him, " Part of the goals set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in May, 2021 to stop the spread of the virus reveals the expectation that 10% of the population of every country would have been vaccinated by September, 2021. With this mind-set, several nations of the world including our country, Nigeria, set in motion machineries to actualise the target",

"Unfortunately, as of November, 2021, only 2.81% of the Nigeria’s population of over 200 million had received at least one dose, which was a far cry from set goal. This is irrespective of the fact that COVAX, which comprises a coalition of the WHO and its partners for global equitable access to vaccines, had supplied enough vaccines to the country. Besides, government has continuously publicised the availability, effectiveness, and safeness of the vaccines across the country.  

Furthermore, to scale up demand for the vaccines and make them more accessible, the Nigeria National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), flagged of Covid 19 Mass Vaccination Campaign in most states of the federation, with Ogun as one of the pilot states for the programme. Despite all these, it was quite disturbing that many Nigerians, especially those in the sub-urban and rural areas have not shown sufficient motivation to voluntarily get vaccinated against the virus", he lamented.

Also speaking, the Coordinating Director, Ministry Of Information and Strategy, Mr Lanre Ogunyinka, in his welcome address enjoined the media personnel even we have continued to play our part from the time that the global pandemic broke out till date until the situation returns to normalcy, the onus is on us to not relent, but consistently remain proactive at dishing out to the public, appropriate information, situation reports and renewed hope, just as government continues to work hard for complete normalcy to return. 

The Don of Media, Dr. Goke Rauf emphasises the need to understand the various myths and  understand the Knowledge, Attitude and Practise' KAP' of the people which in no doubt can jeorpadise the success of the vaccination aswell fashion out appropriate means to enlightening people of various communities in order to arouse  their interest.

The Health Educator, Alhaji Elegbede and Dr. Olayinka said it is imperative to know that no one is safe until everyone is safe adding that only 944.157 had been vaccinated out of targeted 2million people as at November, 2021.

Elegbede reiterates that it is important to recognize media as a powerful tool to mobilize people to be interested in voluntarily taking the vaccine and maintain necessary measures such as : washing of hands, maintaining social distancing, use of nose mask amongst others.

He  explained that after taking the first and second dose it is important to take booster after 6 months saying that covid -19 in Ogun State is successful with good members of eligible population receiving the first and second jabs of Astrazeneca covid-19 vaccination.

By 'Tope Bankole

Zonal Information Officer (ZIO)

Ado-Odo/Ota LG

Min. Of Information& Strategy,

Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta,

Ogun State.