Sale of Covid-19 vaccine in Kogi, CITAD identifies problems in six northern states
By Sammy OJ
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has revealed some malpractices hindering the administration of Covid-19 vaccines in six northern states.
Speaking with journalists in Bauchi on Thursday, CITAD Coordinator, Public Education on COVID-19 Vaccine Project, Hamza Ibrahim who said that his organization carried out research in Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kogi, Kano and Plateau states, noted that in Kogi State, people who want to be vaccinated are required by the vaccination officials to make payments for their details to be captured and uploaded online on the national register.
He said that the project is aimed at creating awareness around Covid-19 vaccine with a view to getting acceptance and uptake of the vaccine by people
“CITAD with support from MacArthur Foundation is implementing a ‘Public Education on COVID-19 Vaccine’ in six states of the north.
“Having monitored COVID-19 vaccine administration in the six project states for the last two months, we are displeased to note that we have identified both general and specific issues that are hindering uptake of the vaccine thereby further risking the efforts at addressing the pandemic.
*Sale of Covid-19 vaccine in Kogi, CITAD identifies problems in six northern states
“This we must say is unfortunate particularly at a time when new variants of the virus are emerging. While we noticed that misinformation about COVID-19 vaccine is still prevalent, we also regret to note here that state governments are in some way aiding non acceptance of the vaccine.
“People who want to be vaccinated are required by the vaccination officials to make payments for their details to be captured and uploaded online on the national register, this we particularly found happening in Kogi state,” he said.
CITAD also pointed out that lack of coordination in the vaccine distribution is hampering speed and coverage of Covid-19 vaccination.
He added: “Our observation also discovered a serious lack of coordination in the vaccine distribution by agencies responsible within the healthcare chain.
“While in Borno state people going for second doses for Astrazeneca and Moderna were told the vaccines are not available, in Plateau state 45,288 doses of Pfizer had to be recalled after distribution to local communities for nearing expiration.
“The lack of proper coordination is causing delay in accessing the vaccine by the vaccination spots, for example in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, State Primary Health Development Agency supplies the vaccination centres with the vaccines without the involvement of the local government concerned.”
CITAD recommended to the Kogi state governor to immediately put a stop to “pay to get vaccinated” by providing data and other form of supports vaccine administrators in the state, while calling on other state governors concerned to as a matter of urgency work to address the problems identified.
*Sale of Covid-19 vaccine in Kogi, CITAD identifies problems in six northern states
The organization further recommended among others that State governments should examine the vaccination channel in their separate states to have a broader view of the identified problems and other and deploy the needed mechanisms.
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