Health

Pfizer on Thursday said they have made requests to the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, to authorize its Covid-19 vaccine with BioNTech for kids between the ages of 5 to 11. The positive news couldn’t have come any sooner for parents eager to get their kids vaccinated as children get set to begin the new school year with the delta variant surging across America. The strain has resulted in a surge in U.S hospitalizations, including among young kids who are currently ineligible to get vaccinated. The U.S FDA has scheduled October, 26 for its panel of outside advisers to meet and deliberate the application, making it possible for kids to commence receiving the vaccines shortly afterward. A rapid authorization of the vaccine in young kids could assist in mitigating a potential rise of cases this fall, with schools already in session nationwide. White House Covid-19 response Jeffrey Zients on Thursday, said the vaccine could be ready for delivery as early as November pending approval from federal regulatory health agencies.

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have suspended their planned strike scheduled to commence on Saturday, September 18, 2021. This followed a unanimous resolution adopted by the groups to step down the notice of strike and issued a fresh notice of 15 days. Following the emergency meeting of the expanded National Executive Council of the JOHESU and AHPA on Friday, the unions admonished the Federal Government to expedite actions and fulfill their demands within 15 days. This was contained in a communique signed by the acting National General, JOHESU, Mathew Ajorutu, issued at the end of the meeting. The unions had on September 2 threatened to embark on strike over unmet demands. The expanded NEC comprised the Presidents and General Secretaries of affiliate unions and professional associations, NEC members of affiliate unions, and JOHESU Chairmen and Secretaries at the State and Branch levels. The NEC-in-Session said it critically appraised the reports of JOHESU negotiation and conciliation meetings with FG since the declaration of the trade dispute through the 15-day strike notice issued on September 2.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 519 COVID-19 infections were recorded across the country on Tuesday from 14 states. According to the public health agency, the 519 additional new cases in the country represented an increase from the 387 cases reported on Monday. Lagos recorded 120 cases, followed by Ogun with 110 cases and Rivers with 74. Other states are Edo (63), FCT (58), Oyo (31), Kaduna (15), Bayelsa (11), Cross River (11), Delta (11), Kano (5), Ogun (4), Plateau (3), Adamawa (2) and Gombe (1).

 Edo State Government said from next week, the state government will restrict unvaccinated Medical doctors, teachers from having access to their patients, students respectively. The Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa made this known during the covid-19 briefing in Benin City, the state capital, saying that Teachers and Doctors who are yet to be vaccinated would not be allowed to see their students and patients respectively. Recall the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on 31st August 2021 gave an order restraining the Edo state government from compelling its residents to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Governor Obaseki had last two weeks publicly declared that all residents of Edo state who did not receive coronavirus vaccine would not be allowed to access any public place within Edo state. His declaration was greeted with public backlash that made some interested parties approach the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt praying Obaseki pronouncement was against their fundamental human Right. The court on 31st August ruled that Governor Obaseki has no right to compel people to accept Covid-19 vaccine.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a Health Sector Reform Committee to enhance the development and implementation of health reforms in partnership with state governments and the FCT administration.

Health care providers, under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Association (AHPA), have issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and other stakeholders informing them of her intended strike action come 17th September 2021.