Edo State Government has announced that the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination for frontline health workers would commence on Monday, March 15.

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Osamwonyi Irowa, while addressing journalists on Friday in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the state received its allotment of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine containing 81, 080 doses on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at about 8:25 pm.

While announcing the guidelines for the rollout of the vaccine in the state, Irowa revealed that the roll-out of the vaccines would be in four phases.

Due to the risks related to their jobs, frontline health workers, their supporting staff, and strategic leaders in the state would commence on Monday, March, 15, Irowa noted, adding that adding, “the administration of the vaccines to them is of top priority.”

“His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, will officially flag off the 10-day campaign on 15th March 2021 at the New Festival Hall Government House, here in Benin City.

“The Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the state will be rolled out in phases. This first phase will be administered to frontline workers, after an electronic self-registration.

“While the second, third, and fourth phases will include administering these vaccines to the elderly, those between 18-49 years with co-morbidities and the rest of the eligible population between the ages of 18-49 years respectively.

“This will enable us to avoid crowding at vaccination posts as the registered health care workers will be scheduled and reminded of their vaccination date via SMS and e-mail,” he said.

Irowa reassured the people of Edo that the healthcare workers are prepared for the introduction of the vaccine in the state following due training at the national and state levels which are being cascaded to the local government level, where the vaccines would be administered.