PUNCH NEWS

Following apprehensions over the spread of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Federal Government has advised vaccinated Nigerians to take booster shots effective from December 10.

The Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said on Friday night that the booster shots were only for persons who have completed two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency in a statement on Friday highlighted the eligibility criteria for taking the booster dose 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.”

The statement added, “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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reviewed the international travel protocol in order to reduce the risk of importing and exporting the Omicron variant of  Covid-19.

It said effective from Monday, 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 said in a separate statement on Friday that the review was based on science, national experience and global developments.

The statement titled, ‘Revised international travel protocol’, partly read, “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 added that the revised protocol comes into effect on December 5. He promised that the committee would continue to monitor global and specific country situations with a view to taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

He, however, called on Nigerians to ensure that they receive their full dose of COVID-19 vaccine and comply with public health social measures.