The Government of the State of Osun has commenced the vaccination of its frontline health workers against the COVID-19 pandemic.

This followed the receipt of 64,240 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday night.

Speaking during the vaccination of health workers, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, said vaccinating the frontliner workers first was in accordance with the laid down guidelines of the Federal Government for the exercise.

According to him, “This is the first phase of the exercise. We want to administer vaccines to our frontline health workers first. They are the ones at the battle front and it is only ideal that their vaccination be given priority.

“This would be followed by the elderly, people with underlying ailments and others.

“So, the people of Osun should rest assured that they will be duly vaccinated. We want our people to make themselves available for the vaccination when they are called upon.

“It is desirable to have the vaccine, and the government indeed wants its citizens to be vaccinated, but our people should continue to adhere to safety protocols, because being vaccinated does not mean that a person cannot test positive for Covid-19 again.

“We want our people to continue to mask up, wash their hands frequently and continue to maintain social distancing. For as long as we still have Covid-19 around us, we must continue to observe these guidelines”, Isamotu said.

The first person to be vaccinated in Osun State was Dr Ajibola Olagunoye: Consultant, Public Health Physician and the Head of Case Management. He was followed by the Matron in charge of the Intensive Care Unit, and Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Mrs Akanbi Oluwakemi.