Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, has said that the Federal Government had asked states to provide a list of frontline health workers, traditional rulers, judicial officers and political office holders for the COVID-19 vaccine.
This was part of the resolutions made at a meeting between the Federal Ministry of Health and the 36 commissioners.
The minister said the Federal Government already had a list of its own health workers, adding that they would be among the first to receive vaccines.
He said states would not be compelled to receive the vaccines, adding that states must also have the capacity to store and administer the vaccines.
The minister said, “We cannot be talking of sharing vaccine doses right now until all the states have submitted their figures. We expect figures in terms of frontline health workers. We will also verify these figures for vaccine accountability. We need a database.
“We already have the names of health workers in federal institutions but the states must give us their own figures. We need a list of their strategic leadership such as governors, deputy governors, traditional rulers, judicial officers and others who we regard as strategic leaders.
“If they take the vaccine, it will give credence to issues of efficacy and safety. It is not about VIPs getting the vaccines first. So, it is not a question of elite. We are just following the global trend. Frontline workers, strategic leaders, the elderly and persons with co-morbidities will be those prioritised.”
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