Kenya ramps up Covid-19 vaccination campaign as more doses arrive
The health CAS Dr. Rashid Aman said the country is making steady progress in its Covid-19 vaccination campaign with constraints arising from the global supply of the vaccines slowly fading away.
The second shipment of 880,320 doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine arrived in the country on Monday as Kenya made gradual progress in its vaccination campaign.
Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while receiving the consignment, Health chief administrative secretary Dr. Rashid Aman who was representing Health Cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe, said the donation from the US government will go a long way in supporting the ongoing vaccination drive that target to vaccinate at least 10 million adults by the end of the year.
“You will recall that a fortnight ago on August 23, 2021, we received the first batch of 880,460 doses of Moderna Vaccines from the US Government and this second batch now completes the donations amounting to 1,760,780 from the US.” Observed Rashid.
The health CAS said the country is making steady progress in its Covid-19 vaccination campaign with constraints arising from the global supply of the vaccines slowly fading away. This even as he challenged those who have not received their doses to do so.
“I want to reiterate our call to our people, particularly those who have not been vaccinated to turn up and get vaccinated now that we are having more vaccines. In the same breath, we appeal to those who took their first dose and are due for the second dose but have not turned up for it to please do so,” said the CAS.
The health CAS said the country will only manage to get back to normal if Kenyans responds positively to the ongoing vaccination campaign.
“It’s important to remember that although the first dose provides one with some protection, full protection only comes about when one is fully vaccinated. Remember, for us to fully re-open our economy, we need to either have herd immunity or have our entire adult population fully vaccinated. “Observed Rashid.
The latest consignment comes just three days after 141,600 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccine which were procured directly by the Kenya government from South Africa under the Africa Union platform arrived in the country.
2,050,377 Kenyans had received their 1st dose by the close of the day Sunday while 812,151 Kenyans representing 2.98% of the entire adult population are now fully vaccinated.
Kenya is prioritizing those aged above 58 years, health care workers, security officers and teachers, who remain at the highest risk of contracting the virus, in the ongoing vaccination drive.
The government is targeting to increase daily vaccination rates to 150,000 by December this year. Vaccination posts will also be increased from 800 to 3,000 by December with the number rising to 7,877 by June next year.
