COVID-19: Kenyans To Start Getting Vaccinated In February

Kenya is set to be amongst the first African countries to initiate the COVID-19 vaccination process. According to the Health Ministry, the state has ordered 24M doses of Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine, Kenyans will get it for free.

The first 24 million doses, which will be for free, are from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) an organization that has supported Kenya with more than Sh25 billion vaccines and injection devices and Sh4 billion in direct cash since 2001.

Kenya has opted for the AstraZeneca vaccine instead of the now popular Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna that use more expensive mRNA technology being used in the US and Europe because it’s not only cheaper but easy to store. Kenya is also looking at ordering vaccines from China who has started mass production of the highly needed vaccine.

A dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine will go for Sh700 and apart from the 24M doses ordered through Gavi, the government has set aside Sh10B to carter for over 10% of the over 50M Kenyan population.

Kenya has prioritized high risk groups to be the first beneficiaries in the initial batch. Health workers, police officers, the elderly and teachers will be the first to receive the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine. People with pre-existing medical conditions and those exposed to the virus by coming into contact with crowds will be prioritized in the exercise.

The first batch of the vaccination will cover for over 20% of the Kenyan population. Two doses will be administered in the initial phase.