By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
In Nigeria, approval has been given for the administration of booster dose of Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines for persons that have completed two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Techor1 dose of Johnson & Johnson.
Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency gave the approval on Friday.
According to information released by Mohammad Ohitoto, Head, Public Relations Unit of NPHCDA, the Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said the eligibility criteria for taking the booster dose are that any person 18 years and above is qualified to receive the booster dose.
Other eligibility criteria are that there has to be time interval of six months or more after receiving the second dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech. In addition, there has to be time interval of two months or more after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“Consequent upon the above, eligible Nigerians are advised 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.
“According to Dr. Faisal Shuaib, a COVID-19 booster dose gives greater protection against the virus and urged all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” the head of NPHCDA Public Relations Unit wrote.
