Shortage of COVID-19 vaccine incites fears of forgery & hoarding

Shortage of COVID-19 vaccine incites fears of forgery and hoarding. The shortage may be linked to local officials or those who intend to travel hoarding the drug.

The limited availability of the COVID-19 vaccines has raised the stakes for persons who are desperately in need of it majorly for travel purposes. This has raised fears of forgery by constituents in China in addition to hoarding and extortion by local officials.
The most recent reports from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) revealed that more than 718,412 Nigerians and foreigners alike have gotten the first dose of the COVID-19-vaccine. This figure is largely trifling, compared to the challenge of urgently vaccinating about 70% of the 200-million strong population to achieve group immunity.

This current issue has raised questions regarding what is the cause of delay for the remaining 3.9 million doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines to be administered after one month from the delivery date?

How many states have finished their shares and the challenges for states that are yet to finish the shares they received?

When is the due date for the second dose for those who have received the first injection taking into consideration the standard medical duration between the first dose and second dose?

When will the next batch of vaccines arrive?

Reports have revealed that the arrival of the second dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is inevitable because the COVAX facility has informed Nigeria and other participating economies regarding delays of vaccines from Serum Institute of India and AstraZeneca.

COVAX  works hand in hand with the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Its aim is to hasten the development and production of COVID-19 vaccines and to that, there is fair and equitable access for every country in the world.

According to a recent statement by the WHO, delays in getting supplies of SII-produced COVID-19 vaccine doses are primarily because of the increased demand for COVID-19 vaccines in India, for that reason, deliveries meant to be made in March will now take place in April.