…intensifies vaccination exercise as over 34, 000 persons receive first jab

The Edo State Government will on Thursday, May 6, 2021 meet with relevant stakeholders in the South-south region to deepen awareness of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination exercise, address hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake in the region.

The state’s COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Andrew Obi, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, said the event will bring together stakeholders in the region, including religious, political and traditional leaders, among other strategic leaders.

He said the town hall meeting will take place at the Festival hall in Government House, Benin City, noting that all was set for the successful hosting of the parley.

The Incident Manager disclosed that those expected at the one-day event include Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Comr. Philip Shaibu; Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha; Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib and His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, among others.

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He said the event will be held with provision for virtual participation in line with government’s guidelines to check the spread of COVID-19, adding that “Some governors in the region and other stakeholders and strategic leaders will join virtually.”

Reassuring the government’s commitment to containing the pandemic and ensuring the safety of citizens, Obi noted that over 34, 021 eligible persons in the state have so far been vaccinated in the first phase of vaccination exercise.

The Incident Manager said the state, in the last 96 hours, collected 60 samples and recorded two new cases, four recoveries and zero deaths, with five active cases that are being managed at various isolation and treatment centres in the state.

On her part, Health Educator with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs. Irene Uabor charged residents to avail themselves of the opportunity of the ongoing vaccination exercise and get inoculated against the deadly virus.

She said the vaccination is ongoing at fixed locations, including the premises of the Edo State Ministry of Health, the Hospitals Management Board, Central Hospital, Immigration Office and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), as well as other mobile posts.