Kenya to use Astrazeneca vaccine despite concerns

KENYA – The first doses of the COVID-19 are expected in the country no later than the end of February.

The Ministry of Health says that the country is prepared for a seamless roll-out of the vaccine and the vaccination process.

Acting Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth said Kenya expects at least 4,176,000 doses of the vaccine.

The latest comes days after South Africa suspended the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine after a small clinical trial of 2,000 people suggested that the vaccine is not effective in preventing mild to moderate illness from the variant dominant in the country.

Kenya has previously recorded three cases of the South African variant: of 2 asymptomatic persons who since returned to South Africa and a truck driver.

However, its spread in the country is not substantial enough for Kenya to reconsider AstraZeneca as its first choice for more than 24 million doses.

Despite the latest concerns, a World Health Organization panel now says the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford university outweigh any risks and the shot should be recommended for use, including in people aged 65 and older.

In the last 24 hours 173 people have tested positive out of a sample size of 3784 , bringing the cumulative cases to 102,221. 2 deaths have been recorded bringing the cumulative deaths to 1791.

The Ministry of Health warns that Kenya is not yet at the point of relaxing the containment measures.

“It is when you will be at your weakest when you think that this thing is gone.We still want our freedom , we may be tired but we have to hold on for as long as it takes.” Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said