According to an update by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), a total of 1,096,727 Nigerians, representing 54.5 per cent of eligible persons, have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
A breakdown of the report contained in an Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) System, showed that Lagos state is leading in the exercise with 203,697 vaccinations.
Following Lagos State are, Kano, 58,353; Kaduna, 56,694; Ogun, 53,255; the FCT, 49,192; Katsina, 39,441; Bauchi, 36,196; Oyo, 37,878; Ondo, 31,476; Kwara, 31,208; Edo, 29,173; Jigawa, 28,272; Plateau, 28,567; Gombe, 27,285; Niger, 27,215; Rivers, 28,934; Ekiti, 22,977; Benue, 22,261; Borno, 21,635; Delta, 21,345; Osun, 21,240; Yobe, 21,071; Adamawa, 20,054; Imo, 19,362; Nasarawa, 17,675; Kebbi, 15,939; Zamfara, 15,854; Cross River, 15,281; Akwa Ibom, 12,553; Enugu, 12,144; Sokoto, 11,837; Anambra, 10,982 and Bayelsa, 10,662, Ebonyi, 8,927; Taraba, 8,928; Abia, 9,363 and Kogi 9,801.
However, NPHCDA has said it will expand the eligibility period of the vaccine between the first and second doses of the vaccine from 12 weeks to 8 to 12 weeks in response to the global shortfall of the vaccines and the late commencement of the vaccination in some states.
The agency added that this move is in line with the scientific recommendations provided by the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization that the two doses of the vaccine can be given at 8-12 weeks intervals.
