London, Jan. 19, 2021 (AltAfrica)-Nigeria  is exploring the option of local production of covid-19 vaccine under licensed agreement and has held discussions with a producer.

Consequently, Nigerian government has released the sum of N10billion, about $26.2b as take-off grant to support the initiative-domestic covid-19 vaccine production. This is according to the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

Speaking on Monday at the briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF), Dr Ehanire said the government was working to develop the country’s own vaccines, particularly through licensed production in collaboration with recognized institutions.

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“While we are working to develop our own vaccines, Nigeria is exploring options for licensed production in collaboration with recognized institutions, we are also exploring the option of local production of the vaccines in country and have had discussion with a producer” Health minister, Osagie Ehanire said

Nigeria on Monday recorded 1,617 new cases of the novel coronavirus, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

In a late-night tweet, the NCDC also reported an additional 14 deaths, bringing total casualties from the virus to 1,449.

1,617 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

Lagos-776
Kaduna-147
Kwara-131
FCT-102
Plateau-78
Edo-59
Ogun-53
Osun-45
Rivers-37
Taraba-36
Nasarawa-34
Adamawa-33
Kano-26
Delta-20
Ebonyi-16
Bayelsa-11
Gombe-11
Borno-2

112,004 confirmed
89,939 discharged
1,449 deaths pic.twitter.com/mXAJHlCEhw

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) January 18, 2021

Till date, Nigeria has now recorded 112,004 COVID-19 infections with 89,939 cases successfully treated and discharged.

Almost half of Monday’s cases were recorded in Lagos, with 776 infection

On vaccination, the minister said aside the COVAX facility, which is billed to cover vaccination of just 20% of the population, Nigeria plans to increase its chances of getting enough vaccines to meet the country’s need to cover an additional 50% of the population

“Nigeria is participating in the African Union initiative called “African Vaccine Availability Task Team”, which reports directly to the African Union Chairman, President Ramaphosa of South Africa, and has secured options for 270 million doses of various types of vaccines.

“Bearing in mind options suitable for our environment and our available infrastructure, as well as Investment in delivery, Nigeria has written to express interest in 10 million doses of the viral vector vaccine, which could be supplied as from March 2021. This vaccine does nor require deep freezers.”

Nigeria according to the minister will on Tuesday (today) hold a National Vaccine Conference, “as part of our preparations, to mobilize experts, role players, Development Partners and stakeholders to create a unified and strategic front for the provision and vaccination of Nigerians against COVID 19”