By Muhammad Abdullahi, Abuja
The FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat has said government had made provision for the supply of second batch of COVID 19 vaccines, expecting its arrival in July.
Acting Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Muhammed Kawu made this disclosure at a media parley to commemorate World Health Day in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme: Building a Fairer and Healthier World, Dr Kawu encouraged all residents, particularly those at the suburbs to get themselves tested and vaccinated against COVID 19 towards the attainment of breaking the chain of transmission in the territory.
He revealed that while over 132 thousand residents successfully took their first jab, about 42 thousand person had so far taken the second jab of the vaccine and still counting.
“For first dose132, 000 people got vaccinated. As at yesterday (June 16), about 42,000 people got the second dose. And we still have up to the middle of July to finish the second dose vaccination…So we are appealing to all those who have gotten their first dose to come out and take their second dose.”
According to Dr Kawu “COVID 19 can be controlled following appropriate guidelines put in place and a change in lifestyle, thereby creating fairer and healthier world.”
He assured that the FCT Public Health Department, through its Health Promotion and Education would continue to intensify efforts in sensitising residents on the nitty gritty of getting themselves protected against COVID 19.
Fielding questions from journalists on why facemask after receiving first and second jab of COVID 19 vaccine, Dr Kawu emphasized that facemask is still very important until communities in hard to reach areas vis-à-vis the entire Society developed what he described as “herd immunity”.
This vaccine does not stop you from coming in contact with the virus. It will not also stop the virus from entering into your body, but the vaccine produces immunity in your body. When the jab enters your body, it will fight the virus, so that you don’t come down with the disease.” Kawu said
On his part, the Acting Director,Public Health , Dr Abdulrahman Sadiq who spoke on the measures the FCT Administration was putting in place to sustain the fight against COVID 19, said all the general hospitals now have COVID 19 vaccination centers.
He also assured that efforts were still ongoing to designate some health centers across the six area councils as COVID 19 vaccination centers.