The Federal Government has taken delivery of samples of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Russia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin gave the samples of the COVID-19 vaccine to the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire during a visit to the Ministry in Abuja.
The Russian Ambassador also handed over to the Minister an aide-memoire which gives details about the vaccine to help the Nigerian Government conduct further research on it.
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“We are exploring all knowledge in terms of therapeutics and vaccines,” the Ministry quoted Ehanire as saying.
“We are expressing our interest in the COVID-19 vaccine so that we will have the opportunity to work elaborately.”
He explained that the country has been taking part in a series of knowledge exchange and contact with several research bodies and nations in a bi
Ehanire on Friday also said the vaccine would be “quickly referred” to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as well as the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, amongst other agencies, for review and possible validation.
Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, in his remark stated that this opportunity would help to strengthen the collaboration between Russian and Nigeria.
“We are at a point where we have a joint venture with the private sector,” he said.
Dr Adepimpe Adebiyi, Director, Hospital Services Department stated that this was an opportunity to expand the nation’s vaccine production.
Russia had on August 11th, 2020, announced that it had developed the vaccine which has now shown some signs of success in early trials.
Patients involved in early tests of the vaccine developed antibodies with “no serious adverse events”, according to research published in The Lancet Friday, but experts said the trials were too small to prove safety and effectiveness.
