Kenya is scheduled to get 24 million free doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Acting director-general in the Health Ministry Dr. Patrick Amoth said the vaccines will be received from the COVAX facility next year.
COVAX was created by several organizations including GAVI, CEPI, and WHO with an aim of accelerating the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.
The facility is expected to deliver two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines for millions of people mainly in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific by the end of 2021.
COVAX announced it has already secured millions of ready-made doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca candidate, ready for distribution to 92 developing countries including Kenya.
Amoth further indicated that the government has ordered an additional 12 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at a cost of Sh10 billion. The Health Ministry submitted its request for the vaccines on December 7th.
“We are hopeful that by next year we will have a vaccine. We can’t get vaccines for everybody. We have to give priority to those who are important,” Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said.
The government is seeking to have at least 30 percent of the Kenyan population vaccinated early next year with priority being given to health workers, the vulnerable, and the elderly.
Amoth pointed out that Kenya would prefer the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine but it is open to others provided by COVAX.
“We are open to other vaccines such as the Chinese Sinopharm, Russia’s Sputnik V, Pfizer-/Biontech’s, and Moderna’s based on safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy levels,” Amoth added.
On his part, CS Kagwe said Kenya will consider certain factors before purchasing a vaccine. He indicated that a vaccine must first be a vector carrier-based vaccine, be prequalified by WHO ensuring that it can be stored in a cold chain (2-8 degrees), and the cost factor.
“We consider a lot of things before we give this vaccine to people. Efficacy is key,” CS Kagwe said.
I hope the vaccines don’t…
I hope the vaccines don’t get stolen like happened with PPEs from Mia. We are watching to see what you do with our lives. Are you looking for tenders to source the vaccines? Do them openly. Let this nit become another “Covid billions” saga. Uhuru, your test of leadership and legacy lies here. If this flops, yours will become the worst presidency in Kenya’s history.
They’re FREE right? Let me…
They’re FREE right? Let me Not hear that They’re charging a Fee for the Vaccines.
Free to kenya, on sale to…
Free to kenya, on sale to Kenyans. Somebody has to get rich in Kenya no matter what. It’s a Kenya thing. Pharmacies sells drugs clearly labelled NoT FOR SALE at full price. And the seller don’t feel shy.
Why is the government…
Why is the government willing to risk the life of its people by giving them what sounds like a “second” tier vaccine? While country like the US will not any unproven and scrutinized vaccine. The US public will not accept just any vaccine.
The thieves should get to…
The thieves should get to work like they did with Jack Ma’s free PPEs. The US approved the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use before all tests. If the thieves don’t mess this time I will be surprised.
The question should be is it…
The question should be is it safe, we need to verify what we are getting, Uhuru and RAO should be the first to be vaccinated.