FG clarifies position on COVID-19 vaccination of civil servants

FG clarifies position on COVID-19 vaccination of civil servants

Federal Government has explained that taking COVID-19 vaccine is a choice and not a compulsory exercise, even though it is expected that every Nigerian should get vaccinated against the dreaded COVID-19 virus.

It had been reported that federal civil servants were mandated to get vaccinated by December 1 2021.

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But at a press conference, yesterday, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, clarified that federal civil servants were not under obligation to take the vaccine, but that they must show negative COVID-19 PCR test.

“The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC), on Wednesday, announced interventions to, not only protect the most vulnerable people in our society, but to also ensure that the work place is safe for all citizens. Clearly, there is loss of productivity and its impact on socio-economic development when workers are unable to come to work on a regular and consistent basis due to outbreaks of an infectious disease such as COVID-19.

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“Following advice by public health experts, the PSC announced that all Federal Government employees should make a choice as to how they can contribute towards making the work environment COVID-19-free.  The logical choice is between taking the vaccine and showing the evidence or presenting proof that one is COVID-19-free by showing a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior. This provision is applicable to all Federal Government institutions. The decision to release the advisory was not taken lightly. It is part of the PSC and Federal Ministry of Health’s mantra to always use scientific evidence to make decisions for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

* The United States government has donated 3,577,860 doses of Pfizer vaccine for the public health and benefit of the Nigerian people through COVAX. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria said the shipment brings the total number of U.S.-bilaterally donated doses to Nigeria to over 7.5 million.

* Thursday Caseload: With 251 new cases reported in 14 states, and 6 deaths, Nigeria now has a total of  208630 confirmed cases, 196326 recoveries and  2767 deaths.

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The new cases were reported as follows: FCT (78), Lagos (46), Kaduna (27), Rivers (21), Imo (16), Edo (13), Delta (12), Plateau (10), Niger (7), Bauchi (6), Kwara (6), Akwa Ibom (4), Benue (3) and Nasarawa (2)

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