A multiple award winning make-up artist , Bimbo Onakoya shared her experience as she survives covid19. She madethis known via her Instagram page , where she posted the following;
“I survived the covid!! Since the 23rd of December I tested positive it didn’t relent, my temperature was constantly between 38 to 39.8 till New year eve when I could no longer breathe without choking and coughing, I had already developed pneumonia at that time , to cut a short story short , I got discharged yesterday , Covid is real and it also comes with alot of complications, please guard your life with all your might , this disease is unforgiving!!! Don’t ever get tired of masking up , washing and sanitizing your hands, it took the intervention of Jesus for me to survive this!! I am still in Kenya.”
Atiku hopes Nigerians will soon have access to the vaccines to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The 2019 presidential candidate received the first of two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, according to a report by TheCable.
Atiku receiving covid19 vaccine in Dubai.
“The importance of the #COVID19 vaccine in mitigating the effect of the coronavirus cannot be overstated, particularly in Africa and Nigeria,” his spokesperson Paul Ibe said.
He said Atiku, 74, looks forward to when Nigerians, especially medical professionals in the frontline and the most vulnerable, will be vaccinated. Since COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019, it has infected over 87 million people and killed nearly 1.9 million across the world.
Vaccines were deployed in a few countries late in 2020 after a couple of them were confirmed to be over 90% effective against the virus.
Nigeria hopes to start a mass vaccination campaign at the end of January, with the delivery of 42 million doses of the vaccine expected by the end of the year.
That figure is expected to inoculate less than half of the nation’s estimated population of 200 million.
Since Nigeria’s first case was detected last February, over 92,000 cases have been recorded, with a feared second wave of infections kicking off in December.
Nigerian singer and former member of the defunct group, Psquare, Paul Okoye has recovered from the dreaded coronavirus.
The music star shared the good news via his Instagram page on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.
Paul Okoye
“Happy new year all ❤️ 2021 pls don’t overhype it ohhhh ? abeg …… just take it easy as it comes ? na over hype spoil 2020 ??♂️??♂️??♂️??♂️ I’m better, stronger, tested negative after 11days ?❤️,” he wrote.
Former University of Lagos Vice-chancellor,Professor Ibidapo Obe , has died of COVID-19 complications. He was the vice chancellor of Unilag between the years, 2000 – 2007.
The late professor was born on the 5th of July, 1949 in Old Ife , Osun state, Nigeria. He served as a Visiting Research Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo, USA (1980–1981).
Late Prof Ibidapo Obe.
In 2007, he was a Visiting Research Professor at Texas Southern University in Houston, USA. He was appointed as the Vice chancellor of the University of Lagos in year 2000, succeeding Jelili Adebisi Omotola. He was later succeeded by Tolu Olukayode Odugbemi in 2007 after his successful tenure.
He was honoured with a Post Doctoral Distinction Award Fellow in 1976. He was also a fellow of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada (1977–1979)Fellowship of the Academy of Science and Engineering.
He was a member of the following professional bodies; Fellow of the Africa Academy of Science. Fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS)
Late Oyewusi Ibidapo Obe (1951-2021) was a Nigerian professor of Systems Engineering educational administrator and former Vice chancellor of the University of Lagos. He died on the 3rd of January 2021 from COVID19 complication.
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has extended the stay-at-home order for all State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to Monday, January 18, 2021, to stem the tide of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Head of Service (HoS), Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, said this, on Sunday, in a signed statement, noting that the directive excludes staff on essential duty as well as First Responders.
Muri-Okunola urged all public servants to stay safe and ensure continued adherence to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic.
Oyo State The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the suspension of the 12am to 4am curfew earlier imposed on states by the Federal Government to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The suspension is to enable churches hold the traditional crossover service to usher in the New Year.
This was announced in a statement on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa.
The statement indicated that the governor gave the directives in a brief endorsed by the chairman of the Technical Team of the COVID-19 Task Force, Prof. Temitope Alonge.
The statement added that other advisories, including the directive of 50 per cent occupancy for worship and event centres, ban of street carnivals and others, remained in effect. The statement reads partly, “Following a review of the pronouncement of the technical team of the Task Force on COVID-19 in Oyo State on December 29, 2020, the Governor, Seyi Makinde, FNSE, has magnanimously directed that the 12 midnight to 4am curfew be lifted.
Governor Seyi Makinde
“The governor has also warned citizens and residents of Oyo State to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines, protocols and advisories as laid down by the OYO State COVID-19 task force aimed at limiting the transmission of the disease in our communities.”
kogi State. Churches in Kogi State have been told that they can observe the crossover services without any hindrance if they wish.
The state chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop John Ibenu, stated this in Lokoja on Wednesday.
He said, “I have spoken with government officials, we shall observe our crossover service in our various churches on December 31 to January 1. “Let us keep the nation and Kogi State in prayers and have the trust that no plague will come near our state.
Governor Yahaya Bello.
Recall that the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, had consistently maintained that the COVID-19, even though it exists, had been exaggerated for political and economic purpose.
Observe COVID-19 protocols – FCTA
Also, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has admonished churches in the nation’s capital to comply strictly with the COVID-19 protocols during the crossover service holding on Thursday to usher in the New Year.
It said errant worshippers would be sanctioned and churches found violating the guidelines would be shut.
The Head, Media and Public Enlightenment of FCT COVID-19 Task Force, Ikaro Attah, said worshippers and churches must support government decision to promote progress and development of the FCT. He said, “We had discussions with religious leaders on the need to obey the COVID-19 protocols, so all those who will be attending the crossover service must adhere strictly to the guidelines. They should put on their face masks, wash hands, as well as keep physical distancing.”
“Those that failed to comply will be brought before the court for prosecution. Again, the centre where the protocol is flouted will be shut.”
Lagos State.
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday advised residents to comply with COVID-19 protocols, saying the cases were rising. The government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, also commended religious organisations for the roles in fighting the pandemic.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria has issued a statement on how Churches should conduct their watchnight services.
“The Sanwo-Olu administration has maintained a harmonious relationship with religious organisations and has confidence in the ability of its leaders to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocols amid the clamour for crossover services,” the statement reads partly.
Enugu bans night service.
The Enugu State Government banned the crossover service. A public service announcement the state released on Wednesday, through the Office of the Chief Secretary to the Governor, said the ban became necessary following the second wave of the coronavirus disease.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
It reads partly, “Due to the second wave of COVID-19, the conventional crossover activities on December 31, will not hold this year.”
Ban on crossover service not anti-Christian – Ondo
In a related development, the Ondo State Inter-ministerial Committee on COVID-19 said the decision of the government to ban crossover service is not targeted at Christianity.
The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, stated this during an interactive meeting with religious leaders and stakeholders in Akure on Wednesday.
Fatusi said there was the need for every stakeholder to key into the fight against COVID-19.“We are talking about a matter of life and death. People have talked about maintaining protocols in the markets and other places, but focus on churches and mosques is because by their designs they spread COVID-19 more than open places.
“It is an enclosed place and people are more active there. The likelihood of higher infection is very prominent. The decision to cancel crossover vigil is not about churches, you will recalled that the government cancelled Muslims gathering too; it is about subsisting order for prevention of outbreak of infection and reducing further spread of COVID-19”.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu
The Ondo State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria Rev. Ayo Oladapo called on the government to permit churches to celebrate the crossover service, stressing that churches had been educating the people on preventive measures against the pandemic.
Chinese regulators have approved a coronavirus vaccine developed by state-owned pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm, officials announced Thursday.
Sinopharm said yesterday its coronavirus vaccine is 79.34% effective, citing interim analysis of Phase 3 clinical trials.
Though few details were provided, the company said the vaccine met the standards of the World Health Organization and China’s own regulator, the National Medical Products Administration.
The President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Professor Innocent Ujah, says social distancing has failed in the country, thereby, urging the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to develop new strategies to curb the spread of the virus. The NMA president spoke on Monday on a television programme in Abuja.
Ujah said there was the need for the PTF, which has the mandate of the President to coordinate the country’s response to the pandemic, to improve on its research arm to enable it to understand why Nigerians disregard some of its protocols.
He said, “The issue of compliance with the NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control) protocols – the use of face masks, hand sanitisers, and social distancing – is a very big challenge. The issue of social distancing has failed in Nigeria. It is not likely to succeed and therefore we need another strategy, other ways we can improve the compliance to the NCDC protocol.
“Yes, by and large, many people now use face masks but unfortunately when you go to villages and markets, none of the protocols are practiced at all. Maybe the airlines and a few others like the churches obey these protocols.”
President, Nigerian Medical Association, Professor Innocent Uja.
He added, “I have always talked about the research angle of the PTF. We need to find out, we don’t need to speculate, we should have gone to town and gotten a quick response and analyse the data to know why people are not complying, and then we will navigate to see how they will comply.”
Ujah tasked all stakeholders on the need to work assiduously to curb the spread of the virus, especially as the country battles a second wave of the pandemic while seeking to prevent a new strain of the virus from the United Kingdom. “The doctors are ever committed to this cause and we charge them not to relent despite the harsh environment.
“The reality is that Covid-19 is with us and we need to up our game. The Nigerian stakeholders, the Nigerian people and the National Orientation Agency must also improve its own sensitisation and communication channels because we really are in trouble if we do not at very quickly,” he stated.
To limit COVID-19 spread, the Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered nationwide closure of all bars, night clubs, pubs, event centres, and recreational venues, as well as restaurants, except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins.
President Buhari
Mass gatherings like weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, and end of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 people, according to the new guidelines announced by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50% of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday said Lagos may slip into a second wave of Coronavirus pandemic, if residents failed to comply with the precautionary measures against the spread of virus.
The governor disclosed that of every 100 tests that the state has performed, an average of 10 turn out to be positive, stating it is an increase from the five per hundred recorded in September, though lower than the peak in August, which was between 20 and 30 per hundred.
“This suggests the existence of active community transmission, and represents the very likely possibility of the emergence of a second wave in Lagos State.
“This second wave calls for a full re-awakening of caution and precaution. The complacency that crept in over the last few months as a result of our early interventions when cases started to decline from our peak in August, must now give way to an abundance of vigilance.”
As a measure against a possible second wave of COVID-19, Sanwo-Olu asked all public servants from GL 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, to work from home as from Monday, December 21st for the next 14 days – in the first instance.
He also said all schools must shut down with immediate effect, and until further notice, while concerts, carnivals and street parties are banned in Lagos State until further notice, just as night clubs have not been allowed to open yet, so all night clubs in Lagos must immediately shut down, until further notice.
Sanwo-Olu added that the midnight to 4am curfew imposed by the Federal Government remains while the protocol of ‘No Mask No Entry’ must be enforced by all public places: Offices, Businesses, Markets, Shops, and so on must be adhered to.
The governor further said all places of must ensure that no gathering exceeds two hours, and also that no gathering exceeds 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue, with all event planners must obtain prior clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission for all events, and ensure that any planned gatherings do not exceed 300 people.
He said where the capacity of a venue exceeds 300 and permission has been granted, the occupancy shall not be more than 50 per cent of such a venue.
“The Safety Commission has been directed to visit Event Centres and gauge compliance with the established guidelines, to stop the virus from spreading. If there is evidence of lack of compliance at any Event Centre, it will be shut down immediately.
“Security agents have been mandated to ensure full enforcement, without exception. No one will be deemed to be above the law.
Any and all breaches of these regulations and public health protocols will lead to immediate closure as well as attract heavy fines, and any other sanctions and penalties deemed fit, in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020.
“Event Centre Owners/Planners/Vendors will be responsible for any breach of protocols by their Staff.
“We will continue to closely watch the profile of the unfolding situation, while also awaiting updates and pronouncements from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. We will also keep working with the Presidential Task Force to ensure that the gains of the recent past are not frittered away on the altar of festivities and sheer carelessness. The lives of all Lagosians, including our elders and other vulnerable citizens, matter.”
Sanwo-Olu implored residents to take responsibility for the welfare and safety of all while they enjoy the festive season with friends and families. “It is important that as a community we strictly abide by the above regulations in the context of a global pandemic, without prejudicing our efforts to keep the economy running and maintain our means of livelihood to a sufficient extent.
“Let us use this festive season to spend quality time in small but controlled gatherings with family and friends in the spirit of the season. This virus does not discriminate. We must take responsibility, and not treat this pandemic with levity.
French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19, according to the presidential Elysee Palace.
“The President of the Republic has been diagnosed positive for Covid-19 today,” his office said in a statement.
“This diagnosis was made following a PCR test performed at the onset of the first symptoms.”
The presidency said he would isolate for the next seven days and would continue to run the country remotely. A spokeswoman said that all his trips had been cancelled, including an upcoming visit to Lebanon on Dec. 22.
They added he was trying to assess where he could have contracted the virus.
Macron was at a European Council heads of state meeting on Dec. 10-11, and he met Wednesday with the prime minister of Portugal.
Prime Minister Jean Castex will also self-isolate after coming into contact with Macron over the last few days, said Gerard Larcher, head of the Senate, the upper house of the French parliament.
The prime minister of Eswatini, Ambrose Dlamini, has died four weeks after testing positive for coronavirus, a government statement confirmed. The 52-year-old leader of the tiny absolute monarchy had been undergoing treatment in neighbouring South Africa since 1 December and passed away late on Sunday.
“Their Majesties have commanded that I inform the nation of the sad and untimely passing away of His Excellency the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini. His Excellency passed on this afternoon while under medical care in a hospital in South Africa”, Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku said in a statement.
Although the official statement does not mention the exact cause of his death, he tested positive for coronavirus on 16 November and was initially asymptomatic. It was later announced that he would be moved to South Africa to “guide and fast track his recovery.” At that time, it was said that he was stable and was responding well to treatment.
While several world leaders have been infected with coronavirus, including US president Donald Trump, the UK prime minister Boris Johnson, and Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, this is the first time a world leader has died after contracting the virus.
The Kaduna State Government has warned that it will have no option than to shut down public spaces, including schools, markets, offices and places of worship if the current rate of Covid-19 infection persists.
There has been a steady raise in the rate of infection with 117 positive cases recorded on Friday.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, said: “If the rate of spread retains or exceeds the current pace, then we will have no option than to recommend the temporary closure of public spaces, including schools, markets, offices and places of worship.”
Giving an update on the rising cases of the infection in the state, the commissioner appealed for urgent action by residents to help stop the spread of the disease and save lives.
“In absolute and relative terms, Kaduna State is now recording high infection figures reminiscent of the first wave of Covid-19 spread in April, May and June 2020.
“The lowering of the infection rate following the first wave encouraged the government to approve the recommendation of the state Covid-19 Taskforce for a significant reopening of the state.
However, we are saddened to report that the conditions that compelled the 75-day lockdown of the state are now being replicated,” the commissioner said.
According to her, “On 26th November, 2020, the state recorded 74 positive results from 531 samples.
“The quantum of infections since then suggest both high infection rates and the reality that a new wave of infections is spreading across the state.
“As at yesterday, 11th December, the state recorded 117 positive cases from 518 samples. This translates to almost one in four samples testing positive.”
She said the Ministry of Health expected some increase in infections after the reopening of schools, markets, places of worship and recreational centres, noting however, that the figures easily outstripped the estimated projection.
“While infections cut across age groups, this new wave especially affects those aged between 10 and 35.
“There is now a veritable danger to lives and livelihoods with the renewed Covid-19 infections.
“If the spread continues at the current rate, it may challenge and overwhelm the health system despite our efforts to improve the resilience of that sector.
“We cannot allow this to happen. Kaduna State contained the first wave because, among other measures, most citizens observed and practised the Covid-19 prevention protocols,” Baloni said.
She appealed to residents to recommit themselves to behaviours that protect them and their families from the infection by voluntarily complying with the Covid-19 protocols to avoid the worst case scenarios and limit the spread of the disease.
“We had previously observed the wholesale abandonment of any compliance with protective measures.
We cautioned against this and reminded citizens that the relaxation of lockdown measures did not mean that Covid-19 had been defeated or disappeared.
“The rising infection is a reminder that Covid-19 remains a potent danger to lives and livelihoods. Anyone who remembers the pains and sacrifices of the lockdown period will not want that to be repeated,” she stated.
The commissioner said that as the lead agency for implementing Covid-19 containment, the Ministry of Health will be availing the state Covid-19 Taskforce of all the relevant data to monitor and access the rate of voluntary compliance.
If the rate of spread retains or exceeds the current pace, then we will have no option than to recommend the temporary closure of public spaces, including schools, markets, offices and places of worship. But there is a less costly way out. And that involves citizens living their lives and conducting themselves in ways that do not spread the disease. That way, lives and livelihoods are protected, while public health officers try to contain and manage the disease without causing painful disruptions.
“I urge all citizens, businesses and organisations to appreciate the danger that we face and let us all work together to avoid emergency conditions. We have done it before. Let us do it again,” she said.
The federal government has said health workers and vulnerable citizens will be the first beneficiaries of the 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to be delivered to the country in early next year.
The development was confirmed in a statement by the executive secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, during the presidential task force on COVID-19 press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, December 10.
Shuaibu stated yesterday that Nigeria is a member of COVAX, an international coalition under the WHO umbrella, adding that upon arrival of the vaccines, it will first be given to workers in the health sector and vulnerable citizens.
He said; “We are on course to access safe vaccine in the first quarter of 2021. We will be leveraging on the polio platform to ensure effective delivery of vaccines to our vulnerable population. We have established a supra-ministerial advisory committee to ensure a seamless administration. A technical group meets every week and has devised a risk communication plan to deliver safe vaccines to Nigerians.”
In another news earlier, Naija News reported that the federal government of Nigeria has put all COVID-19 isolation centres nationwide on a re-opening alert over the recent increases in daily records of Coronavirus infection. The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, made this known on Thursday while speaking at the presidential task force on COVID-19 briefing.
Some COVID-19 isolation centres located inside Karu and Asokoro general hospitals had earlier been closed following reduction in the number of patients.
Ahead of a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the Nigerian government has ordered the reopening of all isolation and treatment centres in the country.
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, made this known at a Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19briefing on Thursday.
He said the move was to prepare the country for a possible second wave of the pandemic which some European countries are already battling with.
He said everyone had a role to play in the effort to prevent explosive spread of the infection in the country.
“We are seeing the increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last few days, which we have frequently alluded to in recent times. This rightly suggests that we may just be on the verge of a second wave of this pandemic.
To prepare ourselves, I have directed that all Isolation and Treatment Centres, which were hiterto closed due to reduced patient load, to be prepared for reopening and the staff complement put on alert,” he said.
Countries across Europe are seeing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases after successfully slowing outbreaks early in the year, declaring more cases each day now than they were during the first wave earlier in the pandemic.
England, Portugal and Hungary are among nations in a second lockdown as the new wave of infections sweeps through, shattering efforts and responses to keep the contagion at bay.
Cases in the U.S. are also smashing new records with over 15 million infections thus far.
Mr Ehanire urged the public to continue to adhere to all non-pharmaceutical measures to limit the spread of the virus.
“Until vaccines are available, our best bet is still the appropriate use of face masks, physical distancing, hand sanitizers and observance of respiratory hygiene, for prevention and control,” he said.
He advised strongly against throwing caution to the wind during the upcoming Yuletide
“We must not forget that Covid will not take a holiday. Please endeavour to protect yourselves and others and still obey the measures at Christmas,” he said.
In his remarks, the chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha, said the team was fully aware of the global race and discussions around the vaccine.
He said technical machinery had been set up to ascertain the most effective, safe and prudent vaccine for Nigerians.
“One assurance we wish to give is that any vaccine that will be approved for Nigeria will be endorsed by the WHO and must be certified safe for Nigerians to use by our research and scientific bodies,” he said.
New Hampshire House Speaker Dick Hinch (R) died due to coronavirus complications, a medical examiner ruled Thursday, with the 71-year-old state lawmaker dying one week after being sworn in as Speaker.
Attorney General Gordon MacDonald (R) announced that the state’s chief medical examiner had determined “the cause of Speaker Hinch’s death was COVID-19.”
Hinch died on Wednesday, though the cause of his death was not initially revealed. The attorney general released the results of the autopsy after receiving authorization from the lawmaker’s next of kin.
Gov. Chris Sununu (R) has ordered flags in the state to fly at half-staff. “Speaker Hinch was a fierce defender of the New Hampshire Advantage, a close friend, and a respected public servant,” Sununu said in a statement. “His loss will be greatly felt by the people of this state, and I ask Granite Staters to join me in praying for his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) also mourned Hinch’s death while highlighting his record of public service. The New Hampshire Republican was starting his seventh two-year term when he died.
“Serving in our legislature – and especially in leadership positions as Speaker Hinch did – requires tremendous effort, all in essentially a volunteer capacity,” Hassan said in a statement. “Speaker Hinch was deeply committed to this service, and I am grateful for all he gave to our state and our country. I join all Granite Staters in mourning his loss.”
Hinch’s office announced the state lawmaker’s death on Wednesday night but did not give details, calling it an “unexpected tragedy,” local media reported. Further details on his diagnosis were not immediately available.
New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services said last week that it was investigating after several GOP lawmakers tested positive for COVID-19 after an indoor caucus meeting held on Nov. 20, the Concord Monitor reported at the time.
Hinch at the time confirmed “a very small number of people” tested positive, according to the newspaper, but did not specify how many or go into detail on which members had tested positive. Sununu later said that the meeting was “horribly managed,” according to a local NBC affiliate. He noted that “a lot” of attendees were not wearing masks or socially distanced.
The news of the meeting came just a day before the new legislature-comprising of 400 House members and 24 senators-was to be sworn in at an outdoor event. As a result, a number of lawmakers skipped the outdoor ceremony, The Associated Press reported.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said President-elect Joe Biden’s statement that there “is not plan” to deliver a vaccine for the coronavirus to people across the country “nonsense” during an appearance Sunday on “Fox News Sunday.”
“With all respect that’s just nonsense, we have comprehensive plans from the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] working with 64 public health jurisdictions across the country,” Azar said after Fox’s Chris Wallace played a clip of Biden making the remark.
“There is no detailed plan, that we’ve seen anyway, as to how you get the vaccine out of a container, into an injection syringe, into somebody’s arm,” Biden said in the clip shown by Wallace.
Azar added that the administration was “leveraging our retail pharmacies, our public health departments, our community health centers,” to get a vaccine out.
He said the rollout was “being micromanaged and controlled by the United States military” as well as the private sector.
“We’re leveraging the systems that are known and that work within the United States,” he said.
The Washington Post reported Sunday that the number of vaccines being delivered by the end of year is now expected to fall far short of promises from the Trump administration that hundreds of millions of doses would come by the end of 2020.
Azar said he had also said tens of millions of doses would be delivered by the end of the year and that he had been consistent. He also said career scientists were working to make sure no “red flags” were found on the vaccines, but that he was hopeful approvals could be given in days, and that the vaccines could then be delivered across the country quickly.
Azar went on to say the vaccines represent “the light at the end of the tunnel” and are “why we need people to hang in there” as far as mitigation efforts such as mask-wearing anf social distancing.
Both Pfizer and Moderna are set to submit their vaccines for emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration in the next two weeks. Azar said the first doses could be distributed within days of committee approval.
“Those bright days are ahead and want everyone to be there to get their vaccinations,” he added.
The Hill has reached out to the Biden transition team for comment.
A Vanderbilt spokesperson said Parton’s “generous” gift was helping “several promising research initiatives”.
A portion of the singer’s money went towards funding an early stage trial of the Moderna vaccine.
Her donation is also supporting a convalescent plasma study and research involving antibody therapies, Vanderbilt University Medical Center spokesperson John Howser said.
Convalescent plasma is used to treat people who are battling a Covid infection.
“Her gift provided support for a pilot convalescent plasma study that one of our researchers was able to successfully complete,” Mr Howser told BBC News.
“Funds from Dolly’s gift are also supporting very promising research into monoclonal antibodies that act as a temporary vaccine for Covid. Two of these antibodies are now being tested by a global pharmaceutical firm.”
Vanderbilt’s plasma pilot showed enough promise for the US NIH (National Institutes of Health) to step in with $34m (£26m) in additional support to conduct a national, multi-site clinical trial into the benefits of convalescent plasma.
Announcing her donation on Instagram in April, the star said: “My longtime friend Dr Naji Abumrad, who’s been involved in research at Vanderbilt for many years, informed me that they were making some exciting advancements towards that research of the coronavirus for a cure.
“I am making a donation of $1 million to Vanderbilt towards that research and to encourage people that can afford it to make donations
Appearing on NBC’s Today Show, the star added: “What better time right now, we need this. I felt like this was the time for me to open my heart and my hand, and try to help.”
He added: “She cares so much about helping others and we are very grateful for her ongoing support. These funds will help us complete promising research that can benefit millions in their battle with the virus.”
The vaccine, according to the firms, has a 90-per-cent success rate having been tested on 43,500 people in six countries with no safety concerns.
In a statement on Monday, Biden described the announcement as excellent news and congratulated the manufacturers for giving the world “cause for hope”.
However, Biden warned against complacency, noting that the end of the battle against the pandemic was still months away.
He said even if a vaccine was approved by the end of November as forecasted by industry players, widespread vaccination would take many more months.
The president-elect emphasised the need for people to remain precautious, especially with the use of masks, which he said remained a “more potent weapon against the virus than the vaccine”.
“Today’s news does not change this urgent reality.Americans will have to rely on masking, distancing, contact tracing, hand washing and other measures to keep themselves well safe into New Year,” he said.
Earlier, Biden and the Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, named their transition COVID-19 advisory board as promised by the president -elect in his victory speech on Saturday.
The 12-member board of leading scientists and experts is charged with producing a policy from the duo’s corona virus plan. Dealing with the corona virus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts.
“The advisory board will help shape my approach to managing the surge in reported infections; ensuring vaccines are safe, effective, and distributed efficiently, equitably, and free; and protecting at-risk populations,” Biden said.
US President-elect Joe Biden has named the members of his coronavirus task force, highlighting his pledge to make tackling Covid-19 his top priority.
In his first appointments since his victory was announced on Saturday, he named three co-chairs and 10 members. Among the co-chairs named is Vivek Murthy, who was appointed US surgeon-general by President Barack Obama in 2014 and removed by President Trump in 2017.
He also set out the blueprints for his Transition Covid-19 Advisory Board. The focus of his policy will be on mask wearing, social distancing, contact tracing and hand washing.
In a statement, Biden said the board would help to get the virus under control, deliver relief for working families, address racial disparities and work to reopen schools and businesses.
He also said it would “elevate the voices of scientists and public health experts”.
It comes as company Pfizer announced that its vaccine data suggests the shots may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19.
Biden on Monday hailed the announcement as a “breakthrough” and congratulated those involved in giving the country “such cause for hope.” But at the same time, he noted that the end of the battle against COVID-19 is still months away.
He said even if a vaccine is approved by the end of this month and some Americans are vaccinated later this year, it’ll be many more months before there’s widespread vaccination across the country.
Biden cited a warning by the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that for the foreseeable future, a mask remains a more potent weapon against the virus than a vaccine.
“Today’s news doesn’t change this urgent reality,” Biden said, adding that Americans will have to rely on masking, distancing, social tracing, hand washing and other measures to keep themselves safe well into next year.
He said the US is still losing over 1,000 people a day from COVID-19 and will continue to get worse unless progress is made on mask-wearing and other actions.
Coronavirus cases in the US since the pandemic began are nearing 10 million, and there have been more than 237,000 deaths recorded so far.
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