The World Health Organisation (WHO) says Nigeria’s response to COVID-19 has been ranked as the fourth most successful in the world.
Walter Mulombo, WHO country representative in Nigeria, stated this on Thursday at an event to mark the arrival of the first batch of 177,600 doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
Mulombo, however, didn’t give specifics on how and when the ranking was done, and checks by newsmen so far have not found any report relating to the WHO’s claim.
The country also representative commended Nigeria’s preparation for the roll-out of the phase two vaccination, and encouraged citizens to keep safe by adhering to the COVID-19 protocol.
“We are witnessing the symbolic arrival of 177,600 Johnson & Johnson vaccines, another landmark event in Nigeria’s response to COVID-19 pandemic, widely acclaimed by many as one of the most successful so far in the world,” he said.
“Nigeria was ranked fourth among the top ten most successful responses to COVID-19.
“WHO had, on many occasions, commended the government, particularly the presidential steering committee (PSC), federal ministry of health (FMOH), and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), for the successful completion of the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out with the vaccination of the frontline workers and other priority groups who are at high risk of COVID-19.
“Nigeria’s preparation for the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination, involving more resources and logistics, is highly commendable.
“These vaccines are safe and effective and will be the game-changer. But for the foreseeable future, we must continue wearing masks, physically distance and avoid crowds.
“J&J vaccine is highly effective against the Delta variant and against severe disease, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.”
Nigeria began its vaccine roll-out with the vaccination of frontline healthcare workers in March and officially ended the first phase of its COVID-19 vaccination plan in July.
Thereafter, the federal government announced that it will begin administering the second batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses on August 16.
Over four million doses of the Moderna COVID vaccine were received by the federal government from the United States on August 1.
