The Federal Government of Nigeria has postponed the administration of the second phase of the coronavirus vaccine doses until August 16.
The Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, had earlier announced on Saturday that the administration would commence on Tuesday.
However, in a notice on Sunday, Bassey said the exercise had been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
The notice titled, ‘Postponement of phase II of national vacation programme,’ reads, “This is to announce the postponement of the national flag-off exercise of phase II vaccination programme earlier scheduled for Tuesday this week due to unforeseen circumstances.
No fewer than 53 persons died from COVID-19 complications in Nigeria within two weeks.
This was contained in the weekly epidemiological report published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on its website on Sunday
According to the report, 17 deaths were recorded between July 26 and July 31, 2021, while no fewer than 36 people lost their lives between August 1 and August 7, 2021, making a total of 53 deaths within two weeks.
Between August 1 and August 7, no fewer than 3,707 cases were reported with the country recording the highest daily infection of 747 cases on August 4, 2021, the highest daily infection in three months.
Between July 26 and July 31, the report also revealed that 2,584 cases were recorded, signifying a 43.5 percent increase in the number of infections within one week.
155 inbound passengers also tested positive out of the 3,702 who presented themselves for testing in Lagos and Abuja while 207 out of 5,529 outbound passengers tested positive
In the report, the Director General of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, described the increase in the number of infections as worrisome.
He said, “While we had recorded cases in two digits in June and previous months, it is however becoming worrisome that we are beginning to witness hundreds of cases from July.
“To arrest the trend, the NCDC has continued to intensify efforts with an emphasis on public awareness to ensure Nigerians, including healthcare workers, take necessary preventive steps to protect themselves. Rapid Response Teams have also been deployed to support states’ responses.
“With the third wave in the early phase, all hands must be on the deck to nip it in the bud.”
The Government also announced a meeting of critical stakeholders to hold on Monday (today) to finalize plans on sharing and distribution of the Moderna vaccine doses to states.
Recall that Nigeria had last week taken delivery of over four million doses of Moderna vaccine while still awaiting doses of J and J vaccine which are due for delivery in August and September 2021.