Insurance companies selling cover against Covid-19 vaccination side effects have been warned to stop by the Ministry of Health.
In a statement, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe termed the insuarance as unnecessary and unethical, and no company should claim to provide the same.
“An advertisement of such services is misleading to the public and creates unnecessary anxiety among people who are already at risk of severe Covid-19 disease,” he said.
He rebuked the posts and advertisements circulating in social media, stating that they are misleading which may lead to a vaccination boycott by a section of Kenyans.
He added that the vaccine is offered for free, and no direct expenses should be incurred by clients seeking to be vaccinated.
Kagwe said that the Ministry has put in place additional safety monitoring programmes through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
“The Government warns any company or groupings that are out to profiteer from the Covid-19 pandemic that it is criminal and punishable by law in accordance with the Public Health Act.They should therefore desist from the malpractice otherwise the law will take its cause,” Kagwe said.
This comes after AAR Insuarance advertised a cover for Covid-19 vaccine side effects.
The insurance policy dubbed ‘Chanjo’ requires individuals to pay Sh2,950 which has a limit of Sh500,000 for inpatient treatment.
“Why worry about the possible side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine while AAR Chanjo is here? AAR Chanjo Cover takes care of your hospitalization medical expenses up to a limit of Sh.500,000 at only Sh.2950. DIal *371# and get covered today,” read the advert.
Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccine common side effect include, feeling tired, tenderness, bruising, pain or itching in the arm where you had the vaccine injection, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and nausea.
As of yesterday, a total of 1,881,988 vaccines had been administered across the country.
