The workshop could not have come at a better time than now, according to the consensus of participants. The virus has imposed the most severe and pervasive disruptions of economies around the world. More than 4.4 million people have reportedly died from COVID-19. The scourge has redefined the world. Workplaces have taken new shapes and travelling around the world is becoming an uphill task. The COVID-19 vaccines are relatively scarce in most countries in Africa. In Nigeria today, the number of vaccines available is not commendable and the need for the vaccines to be available and ensure everyone has access to vaccination cannot be over-emphasised.
The media engagement also deliberated on a number of issues including the need to ensure fair and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, tapping into Belt and Road amidst COVID-19, and the need for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to approve and make the vaccine available for all.
The key consensus of the meeting is that the pandemic provided an equal opportunity amidst the affliction that has affected all humanity and therefore the need for greater collaboration and cooperation to beat down the virus.
A major response to the COVID-19 pandemic is the development of vaccines; however, the skewed distribution has been a cause for concern for developing countries including Nigeria.
The need for local production of the vaccines in partnership with the Chinese government should be stressed as the Chinese vaccine has gained acceptance in over 80 countries.
The Chinese model should be adopted to curtail the rising spread of the pandemic.
Participants called for science-led inquiry on the origin of the vaccine which should be collaborative. Hence, world leaders should deal with caution.
The federal government should partner with the media to intensify public advocacy and sensitisation on COVID-19.
Participants agreed that a technical handbook on COVID-19 should be launched. Posters, banners and billboards and other materials on the campaign against the third wave COVID-19 scourge should be prioritised and placed at strategic places across the country. Areas to be considered include markets, motor mechanic workshops, garages, parks, government secretariat and environs.
Participants agreed that the isolation of passengers from the red-listed countries should be prioritised. Nigeria is experiencing more deaths from the third wave as a direct result of the importation of cases from other countries tagged Red listed countries, where the pandemic is very active, like South Africa, India, Brazil and Turkey. Hence efforts should be geared towards ensuring that guidelines are maintained at Airports especially amongst travellers from Red-listed countries.
Severe sanctions should await inbound travelers and passengers who flout the protocol of the Federal and State COVID pandemic law.
COVID-19 distribution should not be monopolized by a few countries to sustain the global health system for the sake of humanity.
NAFDAC and the federal government should not hoard the distribution vaccine. Students studying abroad, businessmen wishing to travel should be considered.
The federal governments and states are encouraged to include all high-risk individuals and populations, in line with the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) recommendations, independent of their residency and legal status, including internally displaced populations, refugees, migrants and detainees. When more COVID-19 vaccines become available.
To reduce severe disease, deaths and protect health systems, priority groups must receive the vaccine first. The definition of priority groups should be based on the most thorough analysis of evidence, including differences across diverse geographical and social settings in the country. These priority groups, at present, as determined by WHO’s SAGE on Immunization are Frontline workers in health and social care settings. People over the age of 65. People under the age of 65 who have underlying health conditions that put them at a higher risk of death.
The meeting ended on the optimistic note that the virus can be contained with the most extensive cooperation of all and a virus free is still possible.
