FG Warns Nigerians Against Black Market Covid-19 Vaccine

The Federal Government has cautioned Nigerians against getting the Covid-19 vaccine on the blackmarket in desperation.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and Chairman Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19, gave the warning on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the taskforce.
According to him, the PTF is reassuring Nigerians that no stone will be left unturned in the effort to access safe and efficacious vaccines.
“We therefore plead for patience and vigilance. We also plead with Nigerians not to procure uncertified vaccines from the black market,” Mustapha said.
He noted that the issue of vaccines continues to dominate discussions and major policy and financial decisions by various countries of the world.
He also recalled that NAFDAC in the course of the week granted emergency authorisation for the use of AstraZeneca vaccines in Nigeria.
According to him, this decision was reached after due process by the regulatory body.
He said, “Despite this milestone approval, which will obviously be a game changer, the PTF wishes to underscore the need to continue to take responsibility by observing all the non-pharmaceutical measures.
“Vaccines remain critical in the battle but we must remain well informed because of the intense transmission which is putting enormous pressure on the hospitals, intensive care units and health workers in our different communities.”
He also warned that decisions made by leaders and citizens will determine the level of the success in tackling the acute phase.
He said that the PTF has been assured that Nigeria shall receive the initial four million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines very soon and Nigerians will be adequately informed on developments.
“The multi-sectoral machinery will be deployed to enhance the logistics to the ‘last-mile administration’ processes that have been put in place.
“This will involve community mobilisation, training, transportation, storage and operations, among others. The real work involves every sub-national entities, the communities, the citizens, and the civil societies,” Mustapha said.