NAFDAC Approves Use Of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control  (NAFDAC) has approved the use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria. 

NAFDAC’s approval is coming a few months after it gave a nod for the use of the Oxford-Astrazeneca jabs.

The Director-General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye announced this during a virtual meeting on Friday in Abuja, explaining that the vaccine is for emergency use.

Earlier in March, Nigeria had received 3.9 million doses of the Astranezeneca jabs and flagged off the vaccination exercise during an event organized by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in Abuja.

“I think that is about the best news we’ve heard since,” said medical doctor, Ngong Cyprian, the first person to take the vaccine in Nigeria. “I only wished my dad had had this vaccine, maybe months ago or so. We lost him but we thank God, and the fight is still on and we will win.”

While many countries had stopped the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine following reports of a blood clot, the NPHCDA was quick to douse fears, saying those who took the vaccines in the country only experienced mild side effects.

“While the mild reactions include body pains and swelling, the moderate to severe adverse events presented were fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, and allergic reactions,” the agency added.

To ensure the availability of the vaccines, the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, said the Nigerian government is expecting about 29.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 jab.

He said the government signed off to receive the vaccines through the African Union (AU), while vaccine deliveries through the COVAX facility were expected by the end of May or early June.

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