4,000 Kenyans have so far received Covid-19 jab

It is a week since Kenya got its first batch of the Covid-19 vaccines and the Ministry of Health has reported that approximately 4,000 Kenyans have received the vaccine. 

According to the Health CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, no adverse effects from the vaccine have been recorded so far.

She was speaking on Wednesday before the National Assembly Health Committee. 

Mwangangi also revealed the fear of what would happen if anyone developed or reacted negatively to the vaccine.

Vihiga MP Beatrice Adagala asked who would be responsible or accountable if the vaccine  adversely affected anyone. 

The CAS responded by pointing out that the deal was struck between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the vaccine companies for the distribution, so Kenya cannot hold any of the companies liable. 

“The indemnity guaranteed by WHO and GAVI should there be an adverse effect means for us to know the vaccines are under Emergency Authorization Use, let us remember the vaccine is optional and no one will be forced to get it," said Mwangangi.

On Tuesday, March 2, Kenya received its first batch of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines. 

Top priority will be accorded to some 400,000 health workers and the elderly as well as people with existing health conditions will follow. 

The national government is working with the county governments to ensure seamless operation in the distribution of the vaccines to referral hospitals countrywide including level four and three hospitals. 

The government dismissed concerns over the efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine and went ahead to facilitate the inoculation of Kenyans against Covid-19.

A small clinical trial that showed that the AstraZeneca vaccine offered minimal protection against mild to moderate illness from the 501Y.V2 variant dominant in South Africa, forced the country to pause the vaccine rollout. 

Mwangangi stated, “We are going to continue with AstraZeneca because we are doing our own sequencing and we are comfortable to move forward with it.” 

She added that the World Heath Organisation also issued an advisory telling countries to continue using the vaccine.