A total of 182,614 people have so far received COVID-19 vaccination across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, the State Immunisation Officer, Mrs Oloruntosin Bolarinwa, has said.
Bolarinwa made the disclosure, on Wednesday, in Oyo town during an advocacy meeting with traditional leaders and Chieftaincy administrators.
The advocacy meeting was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to Bolarinwa, during the first phase that started on March 24 and ended on July 10, we vaccinated a total of 163, 344 people.
“100,230 people received first dose while 63,114 people got the second dose during the first phase.
“For the ongoing second phase now, which started on Aug 23, we are using Astrazeneca and Moderna vaccines.
“So far, 7,740 people have received first dose of Astrazeneca, and 11, 530 people got the second dose.
“For Moderna, we have vaccinated almost 33,000 people for the first dose while the second dose vaccination begins soon,” she stated
The immunisation officer, who explained that the report covered up to Sept 13, declared that the state had so far not recorded any serious adverse effect on those who had taken the jab.
She implored traditional rulers to use their respective positions as the fathers of all to prevail on their subjects to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Bolarinwa urged the people in the state to avail themselves of the opportunity and get vaccinated.
“Get your first, second shots, get yourself protected thereby protect your community, not only protecting your community, but encourage others so that everyone of us will be vaccinated,” the official pleaded.
Also, the UNICEF South-West Representative, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, said the essence of the meeting was to reach out to traditional rulers who are the gate keepers of every community “to ensure that they know the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination.
“And also use their respective platforms to encourage their community members to go out and get vaccinated.
“For us, we believe there are so many rumours and misconceptions that have gone out there, the traditional rulers can help us channel the right messages to the communities and encourage the people to stop spreading rumours.
Akinola-Akinwole, who is a Communication for Development Specialist, expressed satisfaction with the high turnout of the traditional rulers across the 33 LGAs at the meeting and charged the participants to be committed to the course of encouraging Nigerians to take COVID-19 vaccine.
The NOA State Director, Mrs Folake Ayoola, said the collaboration between her agency and UNICEF was to create more awareness on the need for the people to get vaccinated.
Among the traditional rulers at the advocacy meeting were Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan; Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji, Alajaawa of Ajaawa and Oba Johnson Olatunde, the Alamodu of Ago-Amodu
The traditional rulers urged government and its relevant agencies to do more in creating awareness on the pandemic, noting that some people especially rural dwellers were yet to be adequately informed.
The Alajaawa implored those in charge of the COVID-19 vaccination to bring vaccination and testing centres nearer to the people, especially rural communities.
The traditional rulers pledged their support in the fight against the pandemic and promised to encourage their subjects to take the vaccine.
Administrative secretaries in the 33 local government councils in the state also participated in the advocacy meeting.(NAN)
