By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Enugu State Government, on Wednesday, said it has concluded an arrangement to roll out and distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the benefit and health security of the residents of the state.

Dr. George Ugwu, Executive Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), disclosed this to newsmen in Enugu.

It was learnt that the state government took delivery of an undisclosed quantity of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Abuja.

The vaccines arrived the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu through Allied Air Cargo Flight 5N-JRT by 2:44p.m.

Ugwu said that the Agency had made arrangement ahead of time; as it had put in place adequate trained vaccinators and logistics for a hitch-free first batch vaccination exercise.

He noted that health workers, who are front-line workers on issues of COVID-19, would be the first to primarily receive the vaccines in this first batch.

The executive secretary said that the vaccination would further extend to everybody in the state as subsequent batches of the vaccine arrive from NPHCDA, Abuja to the state.

Ugwu, who did not disclose the amount of doses of the vaccine received, said that the vaccine had been moved directly to the state cold-chain store to preserve its efficacy.

“We have ensured maximum power supply; made provision for alternative supply and optimal working of our cold chain store, usually used in storing vaccines, to ensure that the efficacy of the vaccines are maintained.

“We have put in place adequate physical security and knowledgeable health professionals on vaccines round the cold chain store.

“We have just concluded a two-day intensive training for 300 COVID-19 vaccinators in Enugu and after some hours from now; we have to do a step-down training in council areas and ward levels.

“As we move the vaccine to get to council areas and ward levels; we have already arranged cold rooms where they would be kept to retain their normal cold temperature.

“At the council areas; we are collaborating with council chairmen to provide enough security for the vaccines as well as vaccinating teams that would move around to give the vaccination to health workers.

“As it is, we are leaving no stone unturned.

“We will never compromise on issues of the efficacy of the vaccines as well as its security and the security of the vaccination team to carry it on cold packs from one point to another in the 17 council areas and ward levels,” he said.

Ugwu, however, lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for supporting the ENS-PHCDA financially to overcome challenges of COVID-19 vaccination and preparing the Agency and its workers ahead of time.

``It only takes a pro-active and health-loving governor, His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to position the Agency to face the challenge of COVID-19 vaccination. We are grateful to him and our health partners,” he said.

It was also gathered that about two weeks ago, the state through the ENS-PHCDA sent a comprehensive list of all health workers in the state to NPHCDA that facilitated the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines arriving in Enugu.

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