Edo govt releases guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination

Edo government, on Friday, released guidelines for the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine in the state, following the arrival of the first batch of 81, 080 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state received its allotment of the vaccines, meant for about 40,000 persons in the state, from the Federal Government on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at about 8:25 pm.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Osamwonyi Irowa, while addressing journalists on Friday in Benin, said the roll-out of the vaccines would be in four phases.

Irowa noted that the administration of the first phase, scheduled for frontline health workers, their supporting staff, and strategic leaders in the state, would commence on Monday, March, 15.

He said, “His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, will officially flag off the 10-day campaign on 15th March, 2021 at the New Festival Hall Government House, here in Benin City.”

Irowa said frontline healthcare workers had an additional job-related risk of getting infected by the virus, adding, “the administration of the vaccines to them is of top priority.”

According to him, “The Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the state will be rolled out in phases.

“This first phase will be administered to frontline workers, after an electronic self-registration.

“While the second, third and fourth phases will include administering these vaccines to the elderly, those between 18-49 years with co-morbidities and the rest of the eligible population between the ages of 18-49 years respectively.

“This will enable us avoid crowding at vaccination posts as the registered health care workers will be scheduled and reminded of their vaccination date via SMS and e-mail.”

Irowa reassured Edo people of government’s readiness for the roll out of the vaccine.

According to him, as part of the preparation for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines in the state,…