Sa’adatu Albashir, Abuja
The wait to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is finally over for Nigerians, as the disease has claimed almost 2000 lives in the country.
Nigeria received 3.92 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on March 2 and a campaign for the rollout of the vaccination was launched on Friday March 5, with about 150 frontline health workers from the National Hospital Abuja being the first to be administered the shot.
President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also took a jab of the vaccine, publicly, to counter hesitancy.
So far, no adverse effects from the vaccine have been recorded in the country.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) launched an online portal for interested individuals to register for the vaccination.
Records show that over 2.5million registered within 24hour and the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaibu said data indicates over 50 per cent of Nigerians are willing to take the vaccine.
How to register
Registration requires a device with a working internet connection. Nigerians who want to register can visit the NPHCDA’s registration portal. (nphcdaict.com.ng/publicreg)
What do you need to fill the form?
To fill the vaccination form, you need your basic information: full name, phone number, email address, date of birth, sex, a form of ID, a residential address including states, LGA of residence, and ward of residence.
You are to select your preferred vaccination date and time slot and upload a photograph. The form asks if you work in the health sector and if you have any medical conditions or allergies.
You are required to type in a code and this completes your registration process.
You should receive a message that your registration has been completed. You will also be issued a vaccination ID.
Who is eligible to receive the vaccination?
Healthcare workers top the list of people who will receive the vaccine first. NPHCDA said it will prioritise “frontline workers – the military, police, oil and gas workers, customs workers, and strategic leaders.”
Nigeria is the third African country to receive vaccine under the COVAX scheme, after Ghana and Ivory Coast, and she (Nigeria) is expected to receive a total of 16million free doses from COVAX in the coming months.
The vaccine is so far free of charge and only the federal government has sole right of distribution.