.jpg "New Polio Variant Hits 13 States, FCT In Nigeria - Experts")
A new polio variant, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) has breakout in several communities within the country one year after the country was certified polio-free. It was reported that the cVDPV is contracted as a result of many factors, including refusing to take the shots or not completing polio vaccines.
It has been reported that Nigeria has utilised over 3.4 million doses of Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for both the 1st and 2nd vaccination rounds and this has amounted to approximately 88 per cent of the total COVID-19 vaccine stock in the country. The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib during a national briefing of the COVID-19 Presidential Steering Committee on Monday further disclosed that “a total of 4,024,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine were received by the Federal Government of Nigeria in March 2021".
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a Drug Abuse International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. It is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989. While observing the International Day Against Drug Abuse, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, says the world’s drug problem remains an urgent challenge that threatens to exacerbate COVID-19 pandemic impacts and hinder a healthy and inclusive recovery.
The head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says facilities will be established in South Africa, Senegal, and Rwanda, with Nigeria also being considered, to create hubs for the production of COVID-19 vaccines. Africa is working with the European Union and other partners to make the above a reality. Okonjo-Iweala, who revealed this during a virtual meeting on Monday said this will help build equitable access.
Nigeria is expecting delivery of 3.92million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX facility between the end of July and early August. The Executive Director of, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday. He said the agency has since been inundated with requests to be vaccinated, adding that in response, NPHCDA has decided to reopen vaccination for the first dose. He said, “We now have information that Nigeria will get 3.92m doses of Oxford-Astrazeneca by end of July or early August.
The Federal Government has announced plans to construct and maintain oxygen plants across the nation, in order to increase oxygen reserve capacity. This was disclosed in Abuja after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Muhammed.
