AIYEDATIWA FLAGS OFF COVID 19 MASS VACCINATIONS

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday flagged off mass vaccinations on COVID-19 with a statement that “until all of us is saved, nobody is safe” .

The flagged off was held at MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Oja Oba in Akure.

The Deputy Governor who stood in for Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN declared that “we are pleased with the level of acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine by the people of Ondo State as evidenced by the turnout of eligible citizens to receive the vaccine at the various designated health care facilities across the 18 Local Government Area of the State”.

“Nevertheless, to further achieve maximum protection against the pandemic through herd immunity, a new approach to the current vaccination exercise that will target about 80% of the eligible population in the State is being introduced by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency ( NPHCDA ), the Federal Ministry of Health, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency ( OSPHCDA ) and developmental partners such as GAVI, WHO and UNICEF”, he said.

Continued, Aiyedatiwa further disclosed that, “the new approach tagged “Mass Vaccinations Campaign” will involve the establishment of mass vaccinations sites; expansion to all public health facilities ( Primary, Secondary and Tertiary ), Private Health facilities and Corporate Institutions ( Public and Private ) and the establishment of temporary vaccinations posts” .

The Deputy Governor equally disclosed that, “Ondo State is one of the seven states of Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Rivers including the FCT to implement this new approach” .

“This is in recognition of the excellent performance of Ondo State in the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations in the previous phases” , he disclosed.

The Deputy Governor therefore, appreciated all stakeholders in the health sector particularly, developmental partners, religious and traditional leaders as well as the strong political will of Ondo State Government were the enabling factors for the success achieved by the State in the COVID-19 vaccinations and routine.

Calling on eligible citizens who are yet to take vaccine, Aiyedatiwa appealed that, “all our eligible citizens that are yet to be vaccinated or fully vaccinated to replicate the zeal and readiness recorded during the first phase in turning out en-masse during this MVC for their COVID-19 vaccinations” .

“Another important point to remember is the fact that, even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, we should endeavour to continue to adhere to COVID-19 safety and precaution measures by wearing our facemask and avoiding large gatherings” , he counselled.

Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson,
Press Secretary to the Governor
( Office of the Deputy Governor ).