All frontline workers will receive COVID-19 vaccine to ensure their safety as the state government commences vaccination.
Executive Chairman of Adamawa state Primary Health Care Development Agency (ADSPHCDA), Dr. Bashir Suleiman disclosed the development in Yola, Wednesday at a one-day media orientation and engagement meeting on COVID 19 roll out.
He noted that the exercise will be done in four phases to ensure that various categories of people are captured.
Sulaiman added that the first phase of the vaccination has already kick started on 15 March, 2021 and will last for 10 days.
He noted that the first phase of the vaccination will cover front line workers, political, traditional and religious leaders who command tremendous followership in the state.
The executive chairman added that the second phase of the exercise will involve people above 50 years of age because of their susceptibility to infection.
He added that the next phase will involve people from the age of 18 and above who have a history of serious health challenges as they are considered also susceptible to the COVID-19 infection.
Sulaiman said the fourth phase will involve all other residents of the state.
He noted that the state primary healthcare development agency is leveraging on the experience it got from its intervention in the eradication of polio towards the success of the vaccination campaign.
Sulaiman said so far his organization has identified 106 health facilities to carry out the vaccination exercise through the deployment of electronic self registration platforms.
He urged the people to avail themselves for the vaccination because it is the safest way to avoid contracting the virus allaying any fears of fatal side effects.
Sulaiman noted that so far, no serious side effects have been reported since the exercise commenced in the state, noting that even World Health Organisation (WHO) has certified the vaccine safe reiterating that the benefits of taking the vaccine outweighs its risks.
He noted that already, 336 personnel across the 21 LGs have been trained for the success of the exercise with the formation of ward committees.
Sulaiman commended governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his exemplary leadership and championing the exercise by being the first person to receive the vaccination in the state.
The executive chairman added that the state has so far received no fewer than 59,280 doses of the vaccine which will be used in the first phase noting that the state is awaiting more consignment of the vaccine.
The event was attended by Adamawa State cordinator of WHO, Pharm Friday Iyobosa and Adamawa state representative of UNICEF, Innocent Udemezue as well as all the General Managers of radio and television stations and selected print and online journalists in the state.
Representatives of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Isawa Abba, and the Director of Public Health, Adamawa State Ministry of Health were also at the meeting.