The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 PSC is set to begin the administration of the over four million doses of the Moderna vaccine donated by the United States of America on Tuesday.

According to a statement by the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr Willie Bassey, the PSC took the decision after it secured the approval of the National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The notice read, “As you may be aware, PSC has received over four million doses of Moderna vaccine donated by the US government to Nigeria.

“In view of the above, the flag off is scheduled as to hold on Tuesday, August 10 2021 at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi Abuja.”

What you should know

The Moderna vaccines were donated by the United States government to Nigeria and delivered through the COVAX facility on August 2, 2021.

The COVAX is a United Nations-backed effort that promises access to vaccines for up to 20 percent of participating countries’ populations.

President of the U.S., Mr. Joe Biden, had in May pledged to share 80 million vaccines with countries around the world to protect the most vulnerable; and Africa is expected to receive 25 million of these.

Just like AstraZeneca vaccine, two shots of the Moderna vaccines are administered through intramuscular injection about 28 days apart.

The Moderna vaccines are expected to be given to Nigerian adults and those below 18 years are exempted from taking the jabs.