Sept. 15, 2021

The Federal Government says it is introducing Sunday vaccination to ensure members of the Christian community who may not have had access to the vaccine have an opportunity to be vaccinated at their worship places.

The Executive Director, The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, stated this on Tuesday at a sensitisation of Christian leaders on phase 2 COVID-19 vaccination and primary healthcare in Nigeria.

“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.

According to Shuaib, the NPHCDA has entered into a partnership with CAN on making doses available in churches, in order to promote COVID vaccination in the country.

“I am glad to inform you that from this second phase of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, we have introduced Sunday vaccination,” he said.

“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 noted that Christian Leaders across the country have been formidable pillars of support in all our primary health care interventions.

“I am aware that in the States and LGAs, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria are strong and committed members of the State and LGA Task Forces on Immunization. These ambassadors have contributed immensely to confidence building and trust in Government led public health programs, especially in the days of the Nigeria polio eradication program when we were battling with high rate of refusals to vaccination due to rumours and misinformation”.

“Suffice to say that the Christian community contributed immensely to our achieving wild poliovirus certification last year, and indeed our sustaining the country’s polio-free status for over a year now. We are most grateful as a people and government.

“I am aware that in the states and LGAs, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria are strong and committed members of the state and LGA task forces on immunisation.

“These ambassadors have contributed immensely to confidence-building and trust in government-led public health programmes, especially in the days of the Nigeria polio eradication programme when we were battling with high rate of refusals to vaccination due to rumours and misinformation.”

He however added that working with the States, the FG made special arrangement for corporate vaccination. “This is for eligible staff of Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Private/corporate organizations, including Faith-based organizations, their family members, dependants, and retirees to be vaccinated at their convenience.”

Report By: Theresa Igata