Nigeria to receive nearly 8mn COVID-19 vaccines by August

Nigeria is gearing up to receive a significant boost in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with the expected arrival of about 8 million additional vaccines by the end of August this year. The announcement comes as the country grapples with a surge in new cases, raising fears of a potential third wave of infections. Dr. Yahya Disu, the Head of Risk Communication at the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (CDC), shed light on the current situation and outlined the strategies being employed to manage the evolving crisis. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Dr. Disu discussed the rising number of cases in July and the detection of the highly transmissible Delta variant in three states across Nigeria. He underscored the importance of vigilance and collective action to mitigate the spread of the virus and prevent a prolonged and severe impact. The conversation also delved into challenges related to inbound travelers absconding and evading contact tracing efforts, posing a significant hurdle in the battle against the pandemic. While acknowledging the presence of non-compliant individuals, Dr. Disu emphasized the need for sustained engagement, education, and potential enforcement measures to ensure adherence to safety protocols and containment strategies. The interview touched upon the imminent delivery of vaccines, hinting at the inclusion of Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson doses in the upcoming shipment. Dr. Disu highlighted the collaborative efforts with national agencies to facilitate the smooth distribution and administration of the vaccines across the country. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) is reportedly supporting the audit of NAFDAC, Nigeria's regulatory body, to bolster local vaccine production capabilities. Dr. Disu expressed optimism about the prospect of vaccine manufacturing within the country, emphasizing the significance of public-private partnerships and community acceptance of domestically produced vaccines. As Nigeria anticipates the influx of vaccine supplies and explores avenues for enhancing its vaccine manufacturing capacity, concerted efforts are essential to navigate the current challenges and steer the nation towards a path of recovery and resilience amid the ongoing public health crisis.