COVID-19 Omicron: Fed.Govt Approves Booster Shots, Reviews Travel Protocol
By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Bolaji Ogundele, and Moses Emorinken, Abuja, The Nation
The Federal Government on Friday approved the administration of COVID-19 booster doses for persons that have completed two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
This is coming after the country confirmed three cases of the highly transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant, with risk of re-infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr Faisal Shuaib, who made this known in a statement, disclosed that aside from being 18 years and above, eligible persons for the booster doses must have taken their second doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech six (6) months before the booster doses.
Also, for those who have taken a single dose of Johnson & Johnson, there must be a two- month time interval before receiving the booster dose. Eligible persons for the booster doses are advised to visit the nearest health facility or mass vaccination site from December 10, 2021 across the country.
According to the statement signed by the Head of Public Relations Unit of the NPHCDA, Mohammad Ohitoto: “The Presidential Steering Committee in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency has approved the administration of booster doses for persons that have completed two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson.
“The Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, has said the eligibility criteria for taking the booster dose are: Any person 18 years and above; time interval of 6 months or more after receiving the second dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech; and time interval of two months or more after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“Consequent upon the above, eligible Nigerians are advised to visit the nearest health facility or mass vaccination site for their booster doses as from the 10th of December, 2021 across all states of the federation.
“According to Dr. Faisal Shuaib, a COVID-19 booster dose gives greater protection against the virus and urged all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The list of the vaccination sites is available on the NPHCDA website: www.nphcda.gov.ng.”
Expect more variants, cases, NCDC tells Nigerians
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has urged Nigerians to brace up for more cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
It noted that while mutations are common occurrences with viruses, the chance of the emergence of deadlier and transmissible variants increase with a rise in community transmissible
The NCDC therefore warned that as long as Nigerians continue to disregard preventive measures and protocols, they should equally expect more cases of the new variant, and more COVID-19 variants.
Recall that in the early hours of Wednesday, the NCDC announced that three cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant had been confirmed as a result of sequencing some samples.
Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) had labelled the new variant a variant of concern (VOC) after it was seen to be more transmissible and an increased risk of re-infection.
The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, who made this known on Arise Television during the week, also decried the low vaccination coverage across the country.
He explained that alongside adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions of regular hand washing and (or) sanitising with an alcohol based sanitisers, properly wearing face masks, and practicing physical distancing, vaccination remains the most potent strategy to prevent transmission, reduce transmission if infection should occur, and protect against severe disease and death.
He said: “It will not be surprising if we find more cases as we continue to sequence more of the samples that continue to accrue.
“This is reflective of the situation worldwide. As you know, by the minute, the number of countries that are reporting this variant continues to increase. We anticipate that this variant is everywhere and so we will give the same attention to all travelers coming into the country and all samples that are positive for COVID-19.
“The decision for a travel ban is not made by the NCDC. However, from a technical perspective we will not recommend a travel ban. We are subject to a travel ban ourselves by decisions that are not based on science.
“What we need is enhanced surveillance vigilance and we need our populations to adhere to recommended safety measures. At the last count, 22 plus countries have reported this variant. So when will the banning end if it starts?
“Variants will continue to emerge, and so far we have been lucky because we have not had the variant that has substantially changed the landscape of this disease for Africa and for Nigeria the way it has in terms of severity of disease and death as soon elsewhere. But that risk remains and the risk will persist if we do not do the things that we need to do to prevent transmission. One key thing is to just get vaccinated. Vaccines prevent transmission, reduce transmission if infection should occur, protect against severe disease and death.”
The WHO in a statement noted that African countries are stepping up measures to detect and control the spread of the Omicron variant as weekly new COVID-19 cases in the continent rise by 54 per cent due to an upsurge in southern Africa.
“In Africa, the Omicron variant has now been detected in four countries, with Ghana and Nigeria becoming the first West African countries and the latest on the continent to report the new variant. So far, Botswana and South Africa have reported 19 and 172 Omicron variant cases, respectively.
Globally, more than 20 countries have detected the variant to date. The two southern Africa countries account for 62 per cent of cases reported globally,” it said.
Speaking during a virtual briefing on COVID-19, the Regional Director of the WHO, Dr Moeti Matshidiso, urged countries to increase surveillance and genomic sequencing of samples to possibly detect the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
She said: “African countries are stepping up measures to detect and control the spread of the Omicron variant as weekly new COVID-19 cases in the continent rise by 54 per cent due to an upsurge in southern Africa.
“In Africa, the Omicron variant has now been detected in four countries, with Ghana and Nigeria becoming the first West African countries and the latest on the continent to report the new variant. So far, Botswana and South Africa have reported 19 and 172 Omicron variant cases, respectively.
“Globally, more than 20 countries have detected the variant to date. The two southern Africa countries account for 62 per cent of cases reported globally.
“Working with African governments to accelerate studies and bolster the response to the new variant, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to sequence between 75 and 150 samples weekly.
“The detection and timely reporting of the new variant by Botswana and South Africa has bought the world time. We have a window of opportunity but must act quickly and ramp up detection and prevention measures. Countries must adjust their COVID-19 response and stop a surge in cases from sweeping across Africa and possibly overwhelming already-stretched health facilities.
FG rules out lockdown, reviews travel protocol
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease (NCDC), Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa yesterday said the government is not considering a lockdown over the detection of Omicron variant of Corona virus.
He also said the nation may not impose travel restrictions.
He however said the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has revised the nation’s international travel protocol.
He said the new protocol will become effective from December 5th.
He said the nation has enough COVID-19 vaccines but with a shortage of people to receive the doses.
Adetifa, who made the clarifications during an audience with select media in Abuja, said Omicron has been infecting young people between 19 and 35 years.
The Director-General spoke against the backdrop of three cases of the variant that have been detected in the country from some travellers from South Africa.
He said from evidence so far, there was no basis for a new lockdown.
He said: “Based on information, we have not reached a point where we will make a technical recommendation on lockdown.
“On travel ban, there is no sign that justifies the current ban. I am sure the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19and the Federal Ministry of Health will come up with a decision.
“We are not one of those people with knee-jerk reactions. We have not banned flights from anywhere.
“A lot is said about this new variant. In a lot of cases, many of the responses were being driven more by the fear of the unknown than exact science.”
He allayed fears on Omicron, Adetifa said: “Most of those infected with the variant are young people between 19 and 35byeats but not sick.
“We are still waiting for more information. If the virus becomes transmissible, it does not mean it is dangerous or more severe.”
Responding to a question, Adetifa said: “Nigeria has enough vaccines to vaccinate 40 to 50 per cent of the eligible population.
“There is no shortage of vaccines but shortage of people to receive the vaccines.”
The DG said the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has reviewed the International Travel Protocol of 22nd October 2021.
He made the revised protocol available to the media.
The latest protocol was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
It reads: “This revised protocol is aimed at further reducing the risk of importation and exportation of COVID-19 especially the variants of concern.
“All passengers arriving in Nigeria are expected to provide evidence of and comply with the following rules:
*COVID-19 PCR test to be done within 48hrs before departure
*Post-arrival Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test
*Self-isolation for 7 days (For unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals).
*Day 7 post-arrival exit PCR test (For unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals)
“All out-bound Passengers are required to provide either of the following documentation:
*Valid evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19
*Negative PCR test result within 48hrs from the time boarding
“The review of the protocol is based on science, national experience, and global developments.
“The PSC assures Nigerians, that it shall continue to monitor global and specific country situations with a view to taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of Nigerians.
“The PSC calls on all Nigerians to ensure that they have taken their full dose of COVID-19 vaccinations and to continue to observe compliance to public health social measures.”
Federal tertiary hospitals are prepared, says CMDs
The Committee of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, yesterday, stated that all Federal Medical Centres and Teaching Hospitals across the country are adequately prepared for any eventuality that may arise from the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.
It stated that the Federal Government had already made adequate funding available for the equipping of health facilities should COVID-19 cases begin to increase.
The outgoing Chairman of the Committee of CMDs and MDs, Dr Jaf Momoh, while speaking during a briefing after its Annual General Meeting, alongside the new Chairman of the Committee, Prof Auwal Abubakar, noted that there is no lack of ventilators, oxygen, patient- space etc., at all federal tertiary hospitals.
He further urged the Federal Government to urgently release outstanding balances for outsourced services, while ensuring a clear policy on the emergency replacement of health workers without waiting for waivers.
He said: “The government has done a lot in providing funds to equip our hospitals. We have equipped brand new infectious disease centres that include an infectious disease intensive care unit, laboratory that can make molecular diagnosis in all the federal tertiary hospitals. Most of them are already up and running even with accreditation to do COVID-19 test.
