River State Deputy Governor Dr. Ipallibo Banigo-Harry yesterday kicked-off COVID-19 vaccination exercise at the Government House on behalf of Governor Nyesom Wike.
Dr. Banigo-Harry received the first dose of the vaccine at the event at the State House at about 1p.m.
A total of 150, 000 doses were deployed in the state.
Health Commissioner Prof. Chike Chikere was the next person to be vaccinated after the deputy governor and followed by other governor’s aides.
Also, the state chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ambassador Akawo, some UNICEF officials in the state as well as some Government House workers were also vaccinated.
Speaking to The Nation in a telephone interview in Port Harcourt, Prof. Chikere said the next group of people to take the jabs are the frontline health workers, including the gatemen and cleaners, the elderly and those with underlining health challenges, media practitioners and others.
He added that the state supposed to have 150,000 doses, “but there is a shortfall that would be made up later”.