Dr Cyprian Ngong, the Family Physician at the National Hospital, Abuja, became the first person to receive a shot of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria, as vaccination against the pandemic kicked off in Africa’s most populous nation Friday.

The exercise was flagged off by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

COVID-19 infections rose by 708 cases to 157,671 on Thursday, with 1,951 deaths, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control announced.

Nigeria took delivery of the vaccine on March 2 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Thereafter, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) announced that vaccination would commence with the initial phase devoted to frontline health workers, members of the military, police and those at the nation’s border posts.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are scheduled to be vaccinated publicly on Saturday, March 6 (tomorrow). The open vaccination of the country’s leader is meant to convince the public of the safety of the vaccine, the government explained Thursday.

“We’ve been at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight here in the National Hospital at our isolation centre under the able leadership of the National Hospital,” said Dr. Ngong, whose vaccination was aired on national television.

 “They’ve provided everything we need for this fight. We’ve lost some, won some and we are happy we are getting the vaccine now in Nigeria. I think that is about the best news we’ve had since.

 “I only wished my dad had had that vaccine months ago. We lost him, but we thank God. The fight is still on and we’ll win.”

Ngon has served as the Head of the COVID-19 Isolation Centre at National Hospital Abuja since February 2020 when the virus was first detected in Nigeria.

Other early recipients of the jab included Faith E. Eragbai,  a nurse, Dr. Nuru Joseph, and Dr. Thairu Yunusa.

Application of the vaccine followed its clearance by the relevant health authorities in the country, including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration

“After undergoing final assessment by NAFDAC, we have confirmation that they have concluded their final checks with positive results. “Nigeria can now go ahead and use the 3.924m doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. #YesToCOVID19Vaccine,” NPHCDA tweeted.