Vaccination is compulsory for pilgrims- FG
By Modupe Shodeinde
The Federal Government on Tuesday stated that COVID-19 vaccination is now compulsory for pilgrims to the holy cities of Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem.
It urged adherents of both Islam and Christianity to get vaccinated to avoid any delay or cancelation in the future, as some countries have made vaccination a requirement to gain access to their country.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, who spoke during a joint briefing by the NPHCDA, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Abuja, urged citizens to get vaccinated as the phase 2 vaccination commences in the country.
Our phase 2 vaccination has commenced in 35 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). For clients, who have not had any vaccination, the Moderna Vaccine is available and is being administered currently in all designated health facilities in the country, while those who have had their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine are encouraged to visit their designated health facility to get their second dose.
“As at August 30, 2021, Nigeria has so far vaccinated 2,897,201 and 1,430,379 eligible persons with 1st and 2nd doses respectively across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.
“Those who received the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine before July 8, 2021 should go and get their second dose to be fully protected against all strains of the Coronavirus.”
