By Aiyeku Timothy
The Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the vaccine for the deadly virus will be administered free when vaccination begins in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator of PTF, Sani Aliyu, who made the disclosure in Abuja during a television interview, said President Muhammadu Buhari has given the PTF the nod to proceed with preparations with regard to the vaccine.
“The President has also given us a marching order that the COVID-19 vaccine be made available in Nigeria,” he stated.
According to him, the vaccine will be available in the country making use of the GAVI arrangement.
“We already have the assurance that we will have 20% of our population accommodated by GAVI, which is about 40 million Nigerians. They won’t need to pay for that (the vaccine),” the PTF coordinator said.
The Coordinator, therefore, expressed worries that vaccination may not be the major challenge but acceptance by Nigerians.
“The biggest challenge we will have with the vaccine is not going to be the logistics, the biggest challenge will be the public acceptance of the safety of the vaccines and allowing themselves to be vaccinated, the challenge will be very similar to the one we have with polio,” he added.
