As fight fight against COVID-19 pandemic continues, Nigeria has received samples of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine from Alex Shebarshin, Russia’s Ambassador to Nigeria.
The vaccine which was made available yesterday, Friday 4th September 2020 was received by Minister for Health, Osagie Ehanire, on behalf of the country.
According to a statement disclosed by Olujimi Oyetomi, the Director of Information, Media and Public Relations of the Ministry of Health, the Russian envoy made the delivery during a courtesy call to the ministry in Abuja.
The vaccines on the orders of the Minister were referred immediately to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development and others for review and potential validation.
With the need to explore all knowledge in therapeutics and vaccines, Ehanire stated the country’s resolve in understanding the COVID-19 vaccine so that work can be done elaborately.
He explicated that the country has taken a series of knowledge exchange and madd contacts with diverse research bodies and nations as part of efforts geared towards defeating the Corona virus scourge.
On his part, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, asserted that this opportunity will foster more collaboration between Russia and Nigeria.
The Ministry’s Director of Hospital Services Department, Dr Adepimpe Adebiyi, opined that this is an opportunity to expand our vaccine production.
He noted that the technical officers will work together with the Russian team in order to strengthen the bond between Nigeria and Russia
InlandTown! 2020