Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has received his first dose of Oxford AstraZeneca Covid -19 vaccine.

The Governor was vaccinated by his Personal Physician, Dr. Mike Enyinnaya at the Government House Umuahia.

Speaking after receiving the vaccine in Government House Umuahia, the Governor encouraged all those within the age bracket recommended to avail themselves of the opportunity of being vaccinated.

According to the Governor, the deployment of vaccine as a device to fight covid-19 is a global decision endorsed by the World Health Organization and captured by the NCDC which is the lead agency in Nigeria that is battling covid-19 and charged everybody to key into the agenda.

The Governor had earlier formally received the official consignment of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from the federal government.

Speaking also, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Chinagozie Adindu assured that the vaccine is good and efficacious, revealing that after this first dose, those vaccinated would receive another second short in the next two months between 8 and 12 weeks.

He disclosed that the quantity will be enough for the frontline health workers, all health workers in the State, both of public and private hospitals, members of the State Covid-19 Inter Ministerial Task Force , law enforcement agencies among other front-liners.

Dr. Adindu said the second batch of the vaccine would target the vulnerable and those that have underlining ailments and the elderly, saying that at the end of this year, 40 percent of the population in Abia State will have been vaccinated.

Secretary to Government, Barrister Chris Ezem, Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr ACB Agbazuere, State Epidemiologist, Lady Peace Nwogwugwu were amongst other top officials of the State Government who witnessed the event.