In a historic first, Dr. Ngong Cyprian of the National Hospital, Abuja, received the first jab of any COVID-19 vaccine to be administered in Nigeria on Friday.
He was administered the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine delivered to the country Tuesday.
Ngong after getting Nigeria’s first jab said, “We’ve been at the forefront here in National Hospital at the Isolation Centre under the able leadership of the National Hospital. They’ve provided everything we need for this fight. We’ve lost some, we’ve got some and we are happy we are getting the vaccines now in Nigeria. That is about the best news we’ve heard since. I only wished my dad had had this vaccine may be months ago or so. We lost him but we thank God and the fight is still on and we will win.”
The first set of health care workers to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in Nigeria — Dr. Ngong Cyprian, Nurse Faith E. Eragbai, Dr. Nuru Joseph and Dr. Thairu Yunusa.
The vaccination program was flagged off by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari & the Nigerian government, I salute the front line health workers for their commitment in saving lives.
“I now have the single honour to flag off the vaccination of all eligible Nigerians,” Mustapha said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Health, Ehanire, Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora and traditional rulers are among dignitaries at the vaccination launch.
More to come…
