COVID-19: FCTA vaccinates over 1.6m persons

At least 1, 671, 738 eligible persons (18yrs and above) have received doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the Federal Capital Territory, the administration announced on Thursday. The breakdown shows that 990,445 people received at least one shot of the vaccine, while 792,437 are fully vaccinated and 204,839 received the booster shot. The Acting Executive Secretary, […]

At least 1, 671, 738 eligible persons (18yrs and above) have received doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the Federal Capital Territory, the administration announced on Thursday.

The breakdown shows that 990,445 people received at least one shot of the vaccine, while 792,437 are fully vaccinated and 204,839 received the booster shot.

The Acting Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Isah Yahaya Vatsa, who disclosed this at a media briefing, said the figure was as of December 20, 2022.

He noted that although the COVID-19 protocols have been relaxed, the FCT will sustain vaccination and other measures against the pandemic.

He said the FCT had targeted 3,089,849 people for vaccination.

“Our target is to vaccinate at least 70% (2,162, 895) of these eligible persons by the end of December 2022,” he added.

According to him, 246 vaccination teams supported by the state and partners are currently deployed in the FCT and are disaggregated across the six area councils.

“Partners like UNICEF, WHO, USAID, IHVN, Pathfinder International, Breakthrough Action of Nigeria, Vaccine Network etc have been very supportive of the FCT for the purposes of the COVID-19 vaccination.

“The COVID-19 vaccination roll-out started on March 5th, 2021 with a national flag off at the National Hospital Abuja, and since then the COVID-19 vaccination has been happening across the country with varying degrees of success.”

The Director, FCT Public Health Department, Dr Sadiq Abdulrahaman, who highlighted measures and responses to the health issues in the territory from January to December 2022, said there had been zero COVID-19 cases within the period.

He attributed the successes recorded in curtailing it and other epidemic diseases to proven political will of the government and support of critical stakeholders.