The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari has taken his first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Monday in continuation of the national vaccination exercise.
The first phase of the national vaccination drive, targeting frontline health workers, their supporting staff and strategic leaders, was rolled out on Friday at the National hospital Abuja.
Several Presidential aides, as well as frontline State House medical staff were administered with the first shots of the vaccine after the Chief of Staff.
They were vaccinated by the Chief Nursing Officer, Dr Esther Ibrahim at the Special Care Centre of State House Clinic, Abuja.
Speaking after taking the jab, the Chief of Staff urged all eligible Nigerians to present themselves for vaccination so Nigeria can attain herd immunity.
Gambari said: ‘‘I want to thank the Permanent Secretary, State House and the frontline healthcare workers in the Clinic for organizing and ensuring this vaccination exercise.
‘‘My experience in receiving this was almost painless and I am just following the footstep of my leader, his Excellency , President Muhammadu Buhari who has demonstrated leadership at the highest level by receiving the vaccine, followed by his Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
‘‘I want to encourage eligible Nigerians to take the vaccine. It is safe, painless and the benefits are immense.
‘‘It is not just for the individual but the more Nigerians are vaccinated the more we develop the herd immunity which will keep our country safe and our people healthy.’’
It is expected that senior government officials including the Head of Service, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of paramilitary agencies will also take their shots at the State House Clinic in the coming days.
Abiodun Oladunjoye
Deputy Director (Information)
State House
March 08, 2021
