The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 says it is important for Nigerians to get immunised against COVID-19 when the vaccines are available.
The PTF National Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu, stated this when he featured as a guest on a television programme, noting that the Federal Government would ensure as many Nigerians as possible get the vaccines, but that would be done at the individual’s will.
“Government will not press you down and inject you with the vaccine, no; it is going to be voluntary but it will be free and it will be initially for a specific group of people.
“We are going to prioritise healthcare workers; we are going to prioritise the elderly – those above the age of 60… because these are the set of people that are most likely to have severe COVID-19 infection,” the PTF coordinator revealed.
Aliyu advised Nigerians to come out and get vaccinated when they are available, especially those who plan to travel out of the country for one reason or the other, saying those who do not receive the vaccines may be stuck when countries begin to demand a certificate before granting travellers entry in the next six months to a year.
According to the PTF coordinator, the implication will be that such a person will be unable to travel to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj, or for Christian pilgrimage in Israel, or on holiday and business trips to Dubai, China, and South Africa, among other countries.
