RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR FLAGS-OFF ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINATION IN THE STATE.

Rivers State Government has flagged-off the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination in the state.

Speaking at the occasion which took place at Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike reassured Rivers people of his administration’s commitment to ensure the safety of lives and access to essential healthcare services.

Represented by the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Governor Wike described the event as a historical landmark in the fight against COVID-19, emphasizing that the vaccine will help to reduce infections, promote immunity and restore social confidence.

The Governor who recalled efforts by the state government to contain the pandemic since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the state on the March 25, 2020, observed that the state government demonstrated sufficient commitment in both waves of the pandemic to keep the people of the state safe.

Noting the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine approved by the World Health Organization, Governor Wike stated that the first phase of vaccination was for the frontline healthcare workers and strategic leaders in the state and urged Rivers people to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the vaccine to be protected from the deadly virus.

Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike said One Hundred and Fifty Thousand doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine was received in the state and lauded the State Governor for his doggedness, role and leadership in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

Professor Chike who noted concerns raised by some countries over the efficacy of the vaccine, however, allayed the fears of the public on the safety of the vaccine.

Highpoint of the occasion was the administration of the first doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine to the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry- Banigo, the State PDP Chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, some members of the State Executive Council, including the Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Zaccheus Adangor and some staff of Government House, Port Harcourt.