President Bola Tinubu has urged Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to collaborate with potential Nigerian vaccine manufacturers to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for children and adults.
He made the call at a meeting with a delegation of GAVI led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sania Nishtar, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
He said partnership on local vaccine production has become necessary owing to the challenges faced by developing countries, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.
”We have capable and talented people who can make the necessary contributions to the production of vaccines in Nigeria and the rest of Africa,” Tinubu said.
The president assured GAVI CEO of Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its outstanding counterpart contributions for routine vaccines for the year 2023.
He directed the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to work with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to ensure the release of necessary funds for vaccine procurement.
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