Aug. 26, 2021

. . . SAYS UPTAKE IMPRESSIVE

The Lagos State Government has commenced administration of the Moderna COVID vaccine across the designated 183 vaccination sites in Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, spoke after receiving a preliminary monitoring report of the vaccination exercise from the Social Mobilisation Team and expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the exercise at most of the sites visited.

He noted that the turnout of citizens, who had pre-enrolled for the vaccine at various vaccination sites was encouraging, stating that it is an impressive vaccination uptake.

Acknowledging that pockets of challenges existed at some sites, the Commissioner gave an assurance that all the glitches would be addressed for better service delivery.

His words: “I am impressed by the report from the field. We had a good start on the first day. It can only get better and I can assure you that all the challenges encountered today would be resolved to ensure a seamless exercise going forward”.

“I would like to appreciate the team of dedicated staff, who are driving this exercise, as well as Lagosians for their turn out, cooperation and adherence to COVID protocols at our various sites. Efforts of all stakeholders have helped ensure the success of day one of the vaccination campaign”.

Abayomi stated that eligible citizens who are interested in getting the Moderna vaccine can book on the NPHCDA e-registration portal – https://nphcda.vaccination.gov.ng/ – to get vaccinated.

He restated that e-registration is mandatory for the vaccination, pointing out that only citizens enrolled on the e-registration site would receive attention at the vaccination sites.

The vaccination sites monitored include; Sango PHC in Agege LG; Ogba, Ifako, Agbado and Iju PHCs in Ifako-Ijaiye LG; Oregun, Opebi and Ojodu PHC in Ikeja; Merian PHC in Alimosho LGA; and Ogudu PHC in Kosofe.

Others are: Sura, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan PHCs and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital in Lagos Island LG; Sogunle and Oshodi PHCs in Oshodi-Isolo LG; and Palm Avenue PHC in Mushin.

Some vaccinees, who spoke to the monitoring team, expressed satisfaction at conduct of the exercise, envisaging that the process would get better in the coming days.

A vaccinee, Mr. Barnabas Amadi, who got vaccinated at the Ogba PHC, testified that the process was seamless right from the e-registration to the actual vaccination at the site. He encouraged citizens yet to receive the vaccine to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the State government, stressing that the process is easy and fast.

“I just got vaccinated. It was an interesting experience. I registered online and the process was seamless. Getting here, it was initially a bit rowdy but it is calm now. I guess it is because this is the first day, but the process is generally fast and I believe it can get better. I commend the government and everybody in charge of this vaccination process”, he said.