Gombe targets 35,000 for first phase of COVID-19 vaccination.

William Attah, Gombe

Gombe State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru has said that 35,000 persons have been targeted for the first phase of the covid-19 vaccination in the State.

Addressing the media Thursday evening after the arrival of the vaccines into the State, the Commissioner said, the first phase of the vaccination would involve all front line workers in the fight against the virus especially, health workers.

He said the State Ministry of Health as well as the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) has put in place a robust plan of activities before the administration of the vaccines which is expected to commence by Wednesday next week.

He explained that series of trainings of health workers would commence immediately on how to administer and handle the vaccines without any hitches.

According to him, four committees would be created for different activities that would include, waste management to ensure safety for people and the communities; accountability committee; AEFI committee that would be in charge of handling adverse effects if it occurs as well as a committee that will monitor and supervise by collating data on a daily bases that will be transfered to the national from the wards, local Government and the State levels.

He said the State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, is expected to flag-off the exercise by leading other prominent leaders in the State in taking the vaccines as a way of building the confidence of the people of the State on the safety of the vaccines.

While encouraging the public to have no fear about the AstraZeneca vaccines, from an Indian company which has 95 per cent potency, Dr. Habu said the State Government has made adequate arrangement for it’s storage in it’s State Cold room as well as all the refrigerators in all the wards and Local Government Areas.