Akwa Ibom orders one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, yesterday, declared that the state has ordered one million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

He disclosed this during a thanksgiving service organised by the Permanent Secretary at the Government House, Dr. Nathaniel Adiakpan.

The governor advised all citizens to ignore rumours and get vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as adhere strictly to safety and prevention protocols.

"Whether people believe it or not, COVID-19 is real. Please, protect yourselves and don't take it for granted, simple hygiene can help a lot.

"We are also ordering new sets of vaccines and I will advise strongly that people should take the vaccine. We are bringing in one million vaccines. People should please take it, especially those who are above 40 years," he said.

Emmanuel advised the critics of his administration to stop de-marketing the state by claiming that the state government would leave behind a huge and unsustainable debt profile, assuring that his administration was working to create and sustain wealth for the Akwa Ibom people.

In its case, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the state is prepared to deal effectively with the Delta variant of COVID-19, even though there has been no confirmed case of the variant in the state.

He stated this during the inspection of Edo State Infectious Disease Isolation Centre at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City, to assess the state's readiness to respond to the new variant of the pandemic.

Noting the level of the state's preparedness, Obaseki said the state does not have an industrial plant, but would buy retail cylinders for the facility, ensure adequate planning and back up to get any amount of oxygen that might be required.

On plans to vaccinate Edo people against the virus, Obaseki further noted: "I spoke with the National Primary Healthcare Agency last week and I believe that the plane conveying about four million vials of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines should be landing in Abuja if they have not already arrived.

On his part, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Dr. Osagie Ebomwonyi, said the facility currently has about 18 patients, of which 17 were serving corps members.

He said the confirmed cases are unvaccinated, adding: "We are undertaking studies and analysis to find out if we have the Delta variant in the state."