Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire revealed during a recent briefing with the senate leadership in Abuja that the Federal Government would need about N400 billion for COVID-19 vaccines.
While making the revelation, Ehanire said that the Federal Government was ready for a COVID-19 vaccine that would save lives, but the sum of N400 billion would be needed to vaccinate 70 percent of Nigeria’s population at $8 per Nigerian.
He revealed further that N156 billion would be needed in 2021 while the sum N200 billion will be used for vaccination in 2022. Also, the Minister said the COVID-19 vaccines would be stored in the same storage facilities that housed the polio vaccines.
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, expressed lack of confidence in Federal Ministry of Health’s ability to effectively warehouse and share the COVID-19 vaccines when they arrive in Nigeria.
Lawan added that the Ministry must do more as he expressed the readiness of national assembly to support funding of the vaccines.
Lawan said: “I have not been convinced with your presentation that we are ready to bring in the vaccines.
“You have to do much more to convince me that we are ready.”
