In its efforts to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the European Union says it has mobilised over N3 billion worth of vaccination to Africa.
Nigeria, on Monday, took delivery of additional 2 million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines from the EU to boost its fight against the dreaded disease.
The vaccines were said to have been received at the NPHCDA’s Strategic Cold Store, in Abuja.
The 2 million doses, said to be donated by Finland, Greece and Slovenia, are a part of global donation of almost 20 million J&J doses from EU member states to Nigeria, via COVAX.
Samuela Isopi, EU Ambassador, at the official handover of the vaccines through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, said that the organisation had mobilised €8 million (₦3,816,565,274.15) for Africa in its fight against the disease.
The amount, according to Isopi, was part of the EUR 38.5 billion donated to the world to fight the scourge.
“Today’s donation brings us collectively closer to reaching the milestone of 500 million doses delivered by COVAX, with 300 million donated by Team Europe, an achievement which is worth celebrating today.
“The European Union is, so far, the biggest donor of COVID-19 vaccines in the world. To date, Team Europe has mobilised, at least, EUR 38.5 billion, of which €8 billion is for the African continent.
“The EU is now stepping up its efforts to support Africa where vaccination is lower than in other parts of the world.
“This will be at the centre of the discussions among Africa and Europe’s leaders at the upcoming EU-AU Summit next week in Brussels.
“Today’s donation signifies the continuation of the commitment of the European Union and its member states to support Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19,” Isopi said.
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, disclosed that at the moment, Nigeria had about 51 million doses of J&J vaccines.
He recalled that “the Federal Government of Nigeria had earlier in 2021 procured 39,850,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine from the AFREXIM Bank through the African Union.
“With today’s donation of 1,936,050 doses by the European Union, the total number of doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine available to Nigeria is about 51m doses.
“At the moment, Nigeria currently has in-country 12,916,450 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines,” he added.
