The presidential steering committee in collaboration in collaboration with the federal ministry of health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has approved the administration of booster doses for persons who have completed two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson.
The executive director and chief executive officer of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib who announced this in Abuja yesterday stated that the administration of the booster doses will commence on 10th of December, 2021 across all states of the federation.
He said eligibility criteria for taking the booster dose include any person 18 years and above, time interval of six months or more after receiving the second dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech, time interval of two months or more after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
He said a COVID-19 booster dose gives greater protection against the virus and urged all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the government.
Shuaib also appealed to eligible Nigerians to visit the nearest health facility or mass vaccination site for their booster doses as from the 10th of December, 2021 across all states of the federation.
The list of the vaccination sites is available on the NPHCDA website: www.nphcda.gov.ng
According to Reuters, many countries are rolling out COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, but there is no consensus among scientists that they are necessary and the World Health Organization wants the most vulnerable people worldwide to be fully vaccinated first.
Concern over the Omicron coronavirus variant has led some countries to expand their booster programmes.
For instance, the US health regulators on November 19 expanded eligibility for booster shots to all fully-vaccinated adults.
U.S. CDC said on November 30 that everyone over 18 should get a booster shot as Omicron’s emergence emphasizes the importance of vaccination.
Also, Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization is recommending booster shots of an authorized mRNA vaccine to those who are moderately or severely immune-compromised.
Similarly, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), on November 24 recommended vaccine boosters for all adults, with priority for those over 40.
Previously it had suggested the extra doses should be considered for frail older people and those with weakened immune systems.
