Health Minister Reveals FG Spent $29m To Get 40 Million J & J Covid Vaccine

The Minister of health, Osagie Ehanire has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria has spent at least $29 million to procure the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

He said, “We have procured Johnson and Johnson, about 40 million doses, at about $29 million. The 40 million doses will come in stages. We have not requested that they be brought in bulk because we are going to be receiving them as we are dispensing them.

“In addition to that, we have received doses from partners, friends, and other countries all going through the Covax facility and the Covax facility collates all vaccines that other countries want to give to us.”

At the same time, the minister reacted to the fears caused by the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, while asking countries to cooperate in order to confront the new health challenge in the world.

He added that the new variant has not been classified as deadly.

According to him, this is because there has not been any case of fatality nor severe illness recorded.

He said, “Up till now, it cannot be classified as deadly because zero fatalities have been reported.  No severe illness has been reported.

“The United Kingdom has reported about 246, about 86 in the last 24 hours but they have not reported any fatalities or any severe illness.”

The minister also expressed sadness concerning the ban imposed by some countries against Nigerian travelers as means to curb the spread of Omicron.