The Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has renewed its call on residents to collect their second jab of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr Hamza Abubakar, Executive Secretary of the agency, made the call while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government confirmed it received 180,000 doses of the vaccine for frontline health workers, essential staff and those covered in Phase 1.
He said the vaccination was ongoing in the state and residents who collected the first dose should endeavor to collect the second one, irrespective of the date written in their cards.
“We are appealing to residents to endeavor to collect second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
” We are experiencing low turnout for the second dose of the vaccines.
” If you have collected the first dose six weeks ago, you are due for the second dose.
” We have started giving the dose and we are in the fourth week now; remember, vaccination is for the prevention of COVID-19.
” We urged you all to go to the centre where you received the first dose for the second dose,” he advised.
He said the state had enough vaccines to cover every person that had received the first dose, and its free of charge.
NAN also reports that the state government is also planning to secure one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine for its residents.
In February, the State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a medical delivery firm, Zipline, to use a drone for the shipment of the vaccines.
Abubakar said the vaccines are available in all primary health care facilities in the state.
He also urged residents to disregard the myth surrounding the vaccine, adding that it was safe.
“Nobody should deceive you that the vaccine has negative effect on human body. It has undergone clinical trial and is safe.
“I have received my second dose. I am therefore appealing to the people of this state to make themselves available for the vaccination,” he said.
Also Speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, urged residents to comply by taking the second dose.
She commended people of the state for their role in helping to reduce infection rates in recent days, and urged them to continue to observe the necessary precautions. (NAN)
