TheCable

The United States has donated 3.2 million doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine to Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US mission in Nigeria said Mary Beth Leonard, US ambassador to Nigeria, visited the national strategic warehouse on the arrival of the vaccines into the country.

According to the statement, she also discussed COVID vaccine storage and distribution with the Faisal Shuaib, executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

“The vaccines have over 6 months of validity before expiration and are being stored at the National Strategic Warehouse for distribution to thousands of COVID-19 vaccination sites nationwide,” the statement reads.

“During the visit, Ambassador Leonard inspected the vaccine doses and discussed how the agency is maintaining proper ultra-cold storage, as safe and effective vaccines are our best tool to ending the pandemic.

“The latest shipment reflects the United States’ commitment to purchase and donate 1.2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses worldwide. To date, the United States has delivered more than 370 million vaccine doses to over 110 countries.

“This includes the over 24.7 million U.S-donated doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Nigerian people. It is important to note that all U.S.-donated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses to Nigeria have had an expiration deadline of at least 6 months or more upon receipt to ensure adequate time for use.

“Vaccine donations are a part of the U.S. government’s continued partnership with the Government of Nigeria in combating COVID-19.

“The U.S. government urges all Nigerians to go out and get vaccinated to make themselves safe and make use of the donated COVID-19 vaccines.  These actions will strengthen not only the health and well-being of the nation but the overall worldwide response to the pandemic.”

In October, the United States had also donated 3,577,860 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Nigeria through the COVAX initiative.