The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala has announced that COVID-19 vaccination will commence in Anambra State today, Thursday, March eighteenth 2021 to Saturday March twenty-seventh 2021.

 

Dr. Okpala made the announcement during a press briefing on COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction, held in his office at the Jerome Udoji state Secretariat, Awka.

Correspondent Valentine Mbadugha reports that Dr. Okpala assured Ndi Anambra of the safety of the vaccine adding that the registration and vaccination are free of cost.

 

He urged all stakeholders at various levels in the state to kindly assist in sensitizing their subjects on the benefits and importance of the vaccine introduction, warning that the vaccination should not be seen as a substitute for observation of COVID-19 protocols.

 

He added that the vaccine received from the product of a rigorous scientific process, has been certified as safe by multiple foreign agencies as well as local agencies like NAFDAC.

 

Contributing, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu noted that the objectives of the proposed COVID-19 vaccine introduction are to slowdown and disrupt the transmission of the virus in all parts of the state.

 

She assured of effective and efficient introduction of the vaccine in Anambra State, listing the targeted group in the phase one to include, frontline health workers, strategic leaders and none health frontline workers.

 

The WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu commended the state government for its proactive measures in curbing the spread of the virus and expressed readiness to always provide support where necessary.

 

Also provided  during the event are the Anambra State Public Health Emergency Operation Numbers 09034668319 and 09034663273 for easy flow of information.