The Federal Government has launched Service Delivery, Communication, Accountability, Logistics, Electronic Reporting, and Supportive Supervision for the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination ( S.C.A.L.E.S) to rapidly ramp up ongoing COVID-19 vaccine coverage and also roll out Johnson and Johnson single dose vaccine.
SCALES 2.0 Strategy, entails the integration of COVID-19 vaccination with childhood routine immunization for eligible adults, 18 years and above and children zero to two years respectively.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the launch of the S.C.A.L.E.S 2.0 strategy became imperative for leveraging Mass Vaccination Campaigns, Routine Immunization Fixed sessions, Outreach services and Mobile services for Nigerians.
He also said the launch is to formally roll out the Johnson and Johnson single dose vaccine while introducing the COVID-19 vaccination site finder.
Ehanire explained that the strategy would ensure that while controlling the transmission of COVID-19, Nigeria does not become a fertile ground for outbreak of childhood vaccine preventable diseases by rapidly increasing RI uptake alongside COVID-19 uptake.
Furtherance, the S.C.A.L.E.S strategy means that all childhood vaccination, including administration of vitamin A, will now be done alongside COVID-19 vaccination at COVID-19 vaccination sites.
Eligible children will now be able to receive their BCG, Penta 3, OPV 3, OPV 1&2, Measles, Yellow Fever vaccines, as well as Vitamin A supplement, at the sites where the adults receive COVID-19 vaccines. An action which Shuaib described as the good news.
He assured Nigerians of adequate stock of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, to the tune of over 30 million doses in stock and also called on all eligible persons that are yet to receive their vaccination to go to the nearest COVID-19 vaccination site and get vaccinated.
Ehanire noted that the single dose offers the same protection one get from two doses of AstraZeneca, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech and Moderna vaccines, and encourage those who have received their first dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer vaccines to ensure they take their second dose when due, to be fully vaccinated and protected.
In a similar vain, the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib disclosed that there is well enough Johnson and Johnson single dose COVID-19 vaccine to go round the country, adding that the vaccine would be available in all parts of the country before the week runs out.
Speaking on the introduction of vaccination site finder, Shuaib said it is for the purpose of ensuring easy access to vaccine site, as mass vaccination sites have been established at all public places such as markets, parks, shopping malls, schools, mosques, and churches and can be viewed on www.vacsitefinder.nphcda.gov.ng. UNICEF, WHO and several other international partners graced the event.
