“The total number of persons vaccinated in Akwa Ibom State
as of April 19 is 25, 039,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“We were estimating about 33, 000 and now we have vaccinated
25, 039; that is fair enough.
“We received about 69, 030 doses from the Federal
Government. We are administering only half of that for now,’’ Umoh said.
Akwa Ibom took delivery of 69, 030 doses of AstraZeneca
COVID-19 vaccines from the Federal Government on March 10.
Umoh said that the state government was targeting to
vaccinate about 33, 000 persons, mainly frontline workers in the first tranche.
He observed that people had misgivings about the vaccine
initially, but that with much assurance from government on its safety and
efficacy, the situation had improved.
He explained that the first tranche of vaccines was for a
target population of frontline workers and that the true level of general
acceptance would be determined when vaccination goes public.
“Hesitancy may not come in now because this batch of
vaccines is for a particular group of people. That is health workers, security
men and other frontline workers in the state.
“It is when we have enough vaccines to vaccinate the general
population that we will understand clearly the issue of hesitancy. Then we will
know whether people will come out willingly to take the vaccine or not.
“We are being cautious so that those who have taken the
first dose will have the second dose. Once we receive more vaccines, it will go
round for all the population in the state,’’ Umoh said.
The commissioner urged the people to continue to adhere strictly to COVID-19 safety protocols of wearing facemasks, maintaining social distancing and regular washing of hands.
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