WHO to Utilize $9.3 Million Grant by Canadian Government to Boost Vaccination Efforts in Nigeria
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that it will utilize a $9.3 million grant provided by the Canadian Government to carry out COVID-19 vaccination in the 15 states with the lowest vaccination rates in Nigeria.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, WHO Country Representative, made this announcement during the launch of the Canada Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE) grant in Abuja.
The grant will be directed towards the 15 lowest-performing states, including Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Kebbi, Anambra, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo.
Dr. Mulombo emphasized that the grant has come at the right time to help improve coverage and uptake of the vaccine among the priority populations in line with the current WHO SAGE roadmap on the use of COVID-19 vaccines.
Although Nigeria has made progress in combating COVID-19, with millions of people having completed their vaccination series and received booster doses, there are still challenges. Fourteen states in the country have vaccination coverage of less than 50% among their target populations.
Certain vulnerable groups, such as the elderly (aged 50 years and above), people with underlying health conditions, health workers, those living in humanitarian and security-compromised communities, and pregnant women, require more comprehensive vaccination coverage.
Dr. Mulombo highlighted that while the declaration by the WHO Director-General that COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is a significant milestone, the pandemic remains a global and national health threat.
To address this, individuals are urged to continue protecting themselves by completing the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination and adhering to the booster dose schedule.
The WHO, in collaboration with partners, will continue to support the Nigerian government’s efforts to safeguard vulnerable populations and strengthen health systems. The focus will be on implementing a one-health approach to preparedness and response and integrating COVID-19 surveillance and response activities into routine health programs.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jamie Chrisoff, stated that Canada established CanGIVE as a global initiative to address COVID-19 priorities in partner countries and support health systems. Nigeria received the highest share of $9.3 million in this initiative and was also among the first countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses from Canada in September 2021.
This grant from the Canadian Government provides a significant boost to Nigeria’s vaccination efforts, particularly in the 15 states with the lowest vaccination rates. With a focused approach and strategic allocation of resources, the WHO aims to improve vaccine coverage among priority populations and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against COVID-19. The collaboration between the WHO, the Nigerian government, and partners demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic, protecting vulnerable communities, and ultimately saving lives.
