Nigeria Steps Up Vaccination Efforts After Slow Rollout Blamed on Misinformation

ABUJA, NIGERIA - Nigerian authorities are stepping up efforts to vaccinate more people against COVID-19 after a slow rollout blamed on misinformation. Authorities aim to vaccinate over 80 million Nigerians by year’s end but are running far behind schedule.  An Abuja vaccination center, which opened March 16, one week after Nigeria's official vaccine rollout, vaccinates between 50 and 100 people daily. 

It is one of many vaccination locations in the Nigerian capital.  Abuja resident Olu Agunbiade visited the center to get his first shot and says receiving the vaccine makes him feel safer.   "I can venture out into the world with a form of protection," he told VOA. "I know that doesn't mean I can't still contract COVID, but at least I have antibodies, I can fight it.”