A list on how the expected COVID-19 Vaccine would be distributed to states in Nigeria has been made public. On the list, Kano, Lagos, Katsina and Kaduna will receive the highest number of vaccines, in that order. Though each of the states will get less than 4,000 vaccines from the first batch, the federal government has advised that frontline workers like those in the health and security sectors be given priority, as well as the elderly persons.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, which revealed this on Saturday, said the application of the vaccine would be done in compliance with the World Health Organisation, WHO standard.
According to the agency, Kano State will receive 3,557; Lagos, 3,131; Katsina, 2,361; Kaduna, 2,074; Bauchi, 1,900; Oyo, 1,848; Rivers, 1,766; Jigawa, 1,712; Niger, 1,558; Ogun, 1,473; Sokoto, 1,468; Benue, 1,423; Borno, 1,416; Anambra, 1,379; Kebbi, 1,268; Zamfara, 1,336; Delta, 1,306; Imo, 1,267; Ondo, 1,228; Akwa Ibom, 1,161.
Bassey Okposen, programme manager of the agency, said the vaccines would be given out in January and February. He also said that the criteria used for distribution is the rate of infection in each state. The government is looking at administering the vaccine on 40% of Nigerians during the first batch this year, while 30% will be done in 2022. The agency said the federal government was also sourcing for vaccines from other countries like Russia.