*Says Delta variant affecting Nigerians from unvaccinated communities
The federal government has announced its plan to take COVID-19 vaccination exercise to churches.
Speaking during sensitization meeting with Christian leaders on phase 2 COVID-19 vaccination exercise in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib said, the move has become necessary to ensure that we stop the transmission of this deadly virus.
Dr Shuaib who disclosed that Christian have been formidable pillars of support in all primary health care interventions said, the meeting was in line with its strategic approach of mobilizing communities for vaccination.
‘’Your Eminence, the CAN President, distinguished Christian leaders, ladies, and gentlemen, I am glad to inform you that from this Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, we have introduced Sunday Vaccination.
‘’This is to ensure members of the Christian community who may not have had access to the vaccine for whatever reason are given an opportunity to be vaccinated at their worship places.
‘’I must say that feedback from the field is very encouraging and I sincerely thank all Christian leaders who have given the vaccination team access to their churches and their members to receive COVID-19 vaccine during Sunday service’’, he said.
He further disclosed that the agency in collaboration with states have made special arrangement for corporate vaccination.
This he said is for eligible staff of Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, Private/corporate organizations, including Faith-based organizations, their family members, dependents, and retirees to be vaccinated at their convenience.
Earlier, the minister of state for health Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, said that people living in unvaccinated communities across the globe including Nigeria were mostly affected by the deadly delta variant.
The minister who cautioned mischief makers against fake news and conspiracy theories warned that COVID-19 is real.
He said, ‘’Let no mischief makers deceive you anymore. COVID-19 is real I know how many times that I have lost in the last one and half month. To get the figure, to get the report on daily basis. Please we do not want the figures to increase.
‘’The deadly delta variant virus is also here with us and is killing some people who are not vaccinated. What the global community has recorded is that the people admitted in hospital right now are coming from the unvaccinated communities all over the world and Nigeria is not different.
‘’The COVID-19 vaccine and all other vaccines are meant to protect us from vaccine preventable diseases. Also, at the end of this meeting it is expected you will use your position and convince your followers on the need to be vaccinated.
‘’You as leaders have the responsibility to protect the lives of your followers, The vaccines are effective and safe, they have been certified by the world health organization and NAFDAC’’.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Nigerian Interfaith Action Association, Bishop Sunday Onuoha called on Christian leaders to partner with the government in promoting acceptance of the vaccine.
Onuoha who stressed that faith leaders were in position to address misinformation while enhancing public health impact urged them to make difference.
“We are here because we know that faith leaders have the capacity and authority to effect a change of mind and drive acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.
“The Church, and all faith community will partner with the federal government to make Nigerians smile, we succeeded with polio, malaria and we will succeed in this time of COVID-19,” he said.
