COVID-19 booster doses will be administered by the federal government starting tomorrow, December 10, 2021.

This was expressed by Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, during the flag-off of mass vaccination programs for Internally Displaced Persons in Abuja.

The Federal Government, according to Shuaib, had decided to employ the Pfizer Bio-N-tech vaccine as booster doses.

“The Federal Government reviewed the country’s vaccination program and resolved to introduce the booster dose using the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech vaccine across the country. This will take effect from Friday, December 10, 2021. It is pertinent to reiterate the fact that the Nigerian COVID-19 vaccination program is science-driven. Evidence has shown that the booster dose further increases protection against the virus”, he said.

Those who are eligible for booster shots must be at least 18 years old, according to Shuaib.

He said, “Eligibility for the booster dose includes being 18 years and above, fully vaccinated with either two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The time interval before the booster dose is at least six months for these vaccines, except the Johnson and Johnson which is at least two months.

“This is another opportunity to be further protected. I, therefore, urge all those who have taken the right decision to be fully vaccinated, to walk into the nearest vaccination site for their booster dose as from tomorrow.”

He also stated that the booster shots are both safe and effective.

He said, “I want to reassure everyone that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and efficacious. We have in place the required measures and precautions to ensure vaccine monitoring and accountability. We are committed to ensuring that our vaccination teams will be available on-site here and in other camps daily until every eligible person has received their vaccines.

“I, therefore, urge camp leaders to take responsibility and ensure all members are fully vaccinated. Please do not hesitate to demand the vaccines if the teams stop coming and there are still unvaccinated persons in the camp. It is your right to get vaccinated.”