NAFDAC approves three new COVID-19 vaccines
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved three new COVID-19 vaccines AstraZeneca (Korea) Moderna and the Sputnik for emergency use.
The Director-General of the NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, announced this at a news conference in its headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Adeyeye explained that although the Sputnik vaccine has not yet been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), NAFDAC has carried out independent checks on the vaccine and found that the benefits prevail over the risks.
She explained the agency’s vaccine committee expedited the review of the vaccines based on emergency use listing (EUL) given by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or approval by stringent regulatory countries.
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The DG further stated the agency, while reviewing the vaccines has gone through quality, safety, and efficacy evaluations, and the benefits far exceed the risks.
The NAFDAC boss disclosed the emergency use listing will allow Nigeria receive vaccines from the COVAX facility.
It uses a track-and-trace or traceability system to prevent fake vaccines from infiltrating the system and stall the divergence of vaccines across the country.
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Recall that NAFDAC previously approved AstraZeneca (India), Pfizer BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, in February and May 2021, respectively.