Nigerian government stops COVID-19 vaccination
![Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Minister-of-Health-Osagie-Ehinare-.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
The federal government has stopped giving COVID-19 jabs to Nigerians because of the vaccine’s shortfall.
“We believe that in a situation where we still cannot specifically determine when the next batch of AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive, I think wisdom dictates that it’s better for us to vaccinate people fully,” said the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, at Tuesday’s media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.
Mr Mamora added that it was also to enable those who had received their first jab to be able to complete their vaccination.
“So, we can say that we have a pool of citizens that have been fully vaccinated since this vaccination comes in two doses,” he said. “So that’s what gave rise to that directive, rather than just going ahead with just a single dose when the full dose should be two doses of the same.
Mr Mamora added, “So we felt that it was proper for us in the circumstance to ensure that those who have been vaccinated have been fully vaccinated.”
Meanwhile, a group of scientists, which serves as adviser to the British government over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, has warned that regardless of vaccination, lifting restrictions over the coming weeks “may lead to a small surge of cases and deaths.”
Minutes from a meeting with members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) published on Tuesday warned that there could be a rise in cases “of a similar scale to January 2021 after later stages” of the route out of lockdown.
The warning was made amid Britain’s success with its vaccine rollout, which has seen more than 31.5 million people receive their first dose of the vaccine, and 5.4 million receive both doses so far.
Scientists from the Imperial College London said due to eligibility, vaccine hesitancy, and the high transmissibility of the circulating variant of coronavirus, “vaccination alone will not be sufficient to keep the epidemic under control.”
They advised that Britain’s best way to keep hospitalisations and deaths at a low level would mean keeping restrictions at stage two, the planned easing beyond April 12, but it depends on people sticking to the rules.
Stage two allows groups of six people to meet outdoors, non-essential retail to reopen, pubs and restaurants to reopen outdoors only, gyms and salons to reopen.
However, international travel is not allowed, and events, such as plays and concerts, should remain suspended.
England is due to enter stage two on Monday, while Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have already allowed some businesses to reopen.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
![Abdullahi Ganduje](https://i0.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Abdullahi-Ganduje.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
Health
Avoid artificial foods during Ramadan, Kano govt warns residents
Hundreds of people in the state had, in March, suffered from food poisoning due to consumption of contaminated food.
![A road accident scene used to illustrate the story](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/A-road-accident-scene-used-to-illustrate-the-story.png?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1)
States
Anambra: 28 people escape death as truck rams into passenger buses
“Witness report shows that the truck was on top speed when it rammed into the two buses picking passengers at Azia Junction.”
![Somali Army and Al-Shabab](https://i0.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Somali-Army-and-Al-Shabab.png?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1)
Africa
Somali Army dislodges Al-Shabab strongholds in central region
The al-Shabab still controls vast rural areas and remains the key threat to peace in Somalia and also carries out attacks in neighbouring Kenya.
![Railway sleepers used to illustrate the story](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Railway-sleepers-used-to-illustrate-the-story.png?fit=1200%2C676&ssl=1)
States
Vandals caught with 370 railway sleepers
“The prime suspect said he was contracted by an Alhaji to remove the railway sleepers.
![Road Safety Officiers](https://i0.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Some-Road-Safety-Officiers.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1)
States
Gombe: FRSC records 108 accidents in three months
501 persons were involved in the crashes which claimed 33 lives with 298 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
![](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/iafdolevpzukyrm7lncj2.jpg?fit=1200%2C684&ssl=1)
Sport
FIFA suspends Chad, Pakistan from football
Both countries’ suspension will deny them access to FIFA funds while all developmental projects will be put on hold.