The federal government has revealed its plan to collaborate with Russia and any other country producing a reliable vaccine for Covid-19.
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health said even though Russia already promised India 10 million vaccines it is believed that Nigeria will not be excluded from such a similar arrangement.
While speaking during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 in Abuja, he explained, “With regards to the conversation we had with His Excellency, the Russian Ambassador, there was no memo.
“His Excellency came with a memoir which is a document explaining how far they have gone and giving us contact information of their scientists, particularly the research centre where this development was going on.
“At the meeting we had with the Ambassador, we also had our own side present – who asked questions and were given a website to contact the scientists at the research centre. That conversation is going on as I speak and I haven’t got a report yet.
“I read a few days ago that Russia had promised India, I think, 10 million vaccines, if I remember correctly from what I read. India is among the 20 countries or so, who have applied as at last count, and told Russia that they were interested and they have been promised 10 million when the vaccines are ready.
“We are in conversation and our own is to look at all countries who have producing reliable vaccines, and ways of collaborating with them in obtaining vaccines or manufacturing other license if possible or whatever kind of collaboration that is possible.
“The Federal Government has a vaccine company that is just beginning to work – Bio Vaccine Nigeria Limited. The Federal Government has a share.
“The Chairman was at that conference also that we had with the Russian Ambassador. They are also following up I’m sure to find opportunities of collaboration. I don’t rule it out that one day they may be invited to visit to look at how far they have gone and what we can learn from them.”
