Govt admits second consignment of COVID-19 vaccines delayed

Govt admits second consignment of COVID-19 vaccines delayed

130,575 people have received their first dose almost a month since Kenya received its consignment of 1.12 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

The government is targeting to upscale and vaccinate more than 50,000 people a day. 806,000 vaccine doses have so far been distributed countrywide.

However, India’s decision to put a temporary hold on all major exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine doses has had implications for Kenya.

“There may be a delay because of India, we are pursuing other avenues to ensure that there is no shortage of the vaccine,” said Susan Mochache, PS, Ministry of Health.

The Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director Dr. Ahmed Ogwell says the regional body is in talks with manufacturers to ensure that Kenya, just like the rest of Africa, is not left behind.

“ The deliveries will be adjusted as we continue to negotiate. We will address the delay in coming days,” Dr. Ogwell said.

People who received their first jab this month, are scheduled to receive their next dose in May with CDC Africa saying a delay in receiving the second dose will not affect the efficacy of the vaccine ?

“ The efficacy will not be affected. The second dose is a booster .what we are doing is discouraging the mixing of vaccines,” Dr. Ogwell added

The government is also looking to procure the South African-manufactured single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine , and not ruling out other vaccines that have been given approval by the W.H.O and the pharmacy and poisons board.

1530 people tested positive in the last 24 hours,bringing Kenya’s total cases to 132,646.

The test positivity rate is now 19.1% from a sample size of 8010.

12 late deaths were also reported, bringing the fatalities to 2147.

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