Nigeria Begins Second Phase of COVID-19 Vaccinations

ABUJA, NIGERIA - Nigeria began a second phase of nationwide coronavirus vaccinations Tuesday amid an upsurge in cases of the delta variant.

Authorities say 4,080,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine donated by the U.S. government will be distributed to citizens in coming weeks.  "We're very hopeful that we're going to meet the needs of most of the people that have been calling in," said Ndaeyo Iwot, executive secretary of the Abuja Primary Healthcare Board. "Remember we're still expecting more, the AstraZeneca, the Johnson and Johnson, they're all coming in, it's good news for us."  Nigerian authorities aim to vaccinate 40 percent of its population, or 80 million people, by the end of this year and another 30 percent by the end of 2022.