CACOVID Urges Nigerians To Get Vaccinated Against New COVID-19 Variant

The private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) is urging Nigerians to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves from the latest reported outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus. 

This announcement was made following the World Health Organization’s release on Monday, 29 November, revealing the evolving forms of the coronavirus dubbed ‘Omicron’.

According to WHO, this virus has a very high infection rate, prompting additional countries to block their borders and reigniting concerns about the world’s economic recovery from the two-year pandemic.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday confirmed 3 additional cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Nigeria, bringing the total number of confirmed cases detected in Nigeria to 6.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adefila, said in line with the routine travel test required of all international travellers and genomic sequencing at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, through Its National Reference Laboratory, NRL, Abuja and network of other testing laboratories confirmed Nigeria’s first case of the Omicron variant, also known as the B.1.1.529 lineage.  

Speaking on behalf of CACOVID, the Group Head, Corporate Communications, Access Bank Plc, Amaechi Okobi, reaffirmed the agency’s statements, charging Nigerians to be more vigilant when it comes to taking precautions. 

“With the latest reports confirming the new variant of the deadly coronavirus in Nigeria, it has become expedient that we all adhere to all precautionary measures whilst getting vaccinated. Contrary to many false reports, the vaccines are effective and can reduce the risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19,” he said.

“The Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 will continue to play its part in sensitising the populace while aiding the federal government in its quest to combat the spread of the virus and its resultant effects on the national economy,” Okobi concluded. 

CACOVID further encourages Nigerians to take preventative measures to protect themselves from the virus, such as frequent handwashing, wearing a face mask in indoor and outdoor public places, and maintaining social distance.