Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, says that about 260,000 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the state.

Abayomi told a ministerial media briefing on Tuesday in Lagos that the figure represented just one percent of the state’s population.

He said the second phase of vaccination would start soon and warned that Nigeria stood the risk of experiencing a third wave, having vaccinated only less than one percent of its population.

According to him, health facilities in Lagos State have been placed on high alert to pick up early trends that may suggest a third wave of COVID-19.

”Currently, countries like India, Brazil, Argentina, Iraq, Qatar, Peru, and Uruguay are being ravaged by a vicious third or fourth wave following a less active and insignificant second or third wave.

”The latest wave in India has been proven to be as a result of new mutant strains that have resulted in a dramatic increase in sickness and deaths for two weeks running.

”Whilst we commiserate with these countries, it is important that we protect our environment and residents against this virus, especially as we have less than one percent of our population that have received their first dose of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine similar to India that has about eight percent,” he said.

The commissioner said that Lagos was working toward ensuring a 60 percent herd immunity, representing 14 million people to be achieved.

He said that among steps being taken to curb a third wave of the virus included aggressive testing, including mutant PCR testing to identify the particular virus strain.

”It also included the deployment of technology (EKOTELEMED) to track and monitor inbound travelers; enforcing non-pharmaceutical interventions; increase in oxygen supply and vaccination,” he noted.

Lagos Covid-19 infections stand at 50,310 – Commissioner

Abayomi said that of the 123 passengers of interest tracked between April 13 and April 27, 110 (89 percent) were called by EKOTELEMED, with only 39 percent reached and tracked.

He said that 66 percent had Lagos as their final destination, while about 28 percent filled in no address in Nigeria or filled in a foreign address.

The commissioner further said that the total samples tested so far was 460,647, with 58,222 confirmed positive.

He added that of this number, 168,312 (37 percent) were tested in public laboratories while 292,335 (63 percent) were tested in private laboratories.