*The Federal Government advises eligible, vaccinated Nigerians of 18 years and above  to visit the nearest health facility or mass vaccination site across all states of the federation for their COVID-19 vaccine booster doses effective  from December 10, 2021

*Reviews international travel protocol for all passengers arriving in Nigeria with effect from Sunday, December 5

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of apparent apprehensions over the spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Federal Government has advised vaccinated Nigerians to also take booster shots effective December 10, 2021.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19, stated this Friday, December 3.

Mr. Boss Mustapha, Chairman of Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19

The PSC on COVID-19 Chairman, however, clarified said that the booster shots were only for Nigerians who had completed two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer BioNTech or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) highlighted the eligibility criteria for taking the booster dose in a statement issued Friday to include “any person 18 years and above; time interval of six months or more after receiving the second dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech; time interval of two months or more after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.”

According to NPHCDA, “consequent upon the above, eligible Nigerians are advised to visit the nearest health facility or mass vaccination site for their booster doses as from December 10, 2021 across all states of the federation.

The agency further said: “According to Dr Faisal Shuaib (Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, NPHCDA), a COVID-19 booster dose gives greater protection against the virus and urges all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Review of international travel protocol

In a related development, the Federal Government of Nigeria also has reviewed the international travel protocol with a view to minimising the risk of importing and exporting the Omicron variant of  COVID-19.

The government said in a separate press statement titled, ‘Revised international travel protocol’, that effective from Sunday, December 5, 2021, all passengers arriving in Nigeria were expected to provide evidence of Covid-19 PCR test to be done within 48 hours before departure.

This is a reduction in the 72-hour test result imposed by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 from October 25.

The Committee noted that the review was based on science, national experience and global developments in recent times.

It also said: “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 48 hours before departure.

“Post-arrival Day 2 COVID-19 PCR test. Self-isolation for seven days for unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated individuals. Day 7 post-arrival exit PCR test for unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated individuals.

“Outbound Passengers: All outbound passengers are required to provide either the valid evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19 or negative PCR test result within 48hrs from the time of boarding.”

Mustapha, while reiterating that the revised protocol comes into effect on December 5, assured Nigerians and the international world that the PSC on COVID19 would continue to monitor global and specific country situations with a view to taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

The PSC Chair, however, urged Nigerians to ensure that they receive their full dose of COVID-19 vaccine and comply with public health social measures.