Kenyans boycott jabs as Covid vaccines waste away
Covid-19 vaccines stock in storage depots risks being thrown away due to a drop in people opting to get their first jab.
Attempts to use surplus vaccines on people awaiting their second jab are also being thwarted due to hesitancy and apathy.
People who received their first dose have already come forward but “hesitancy” is stopping more people from coming forward.
The government had set a strict guidance which stated that jabs must be given at least eight weeks apart which according to the Health ministry, made their immunity strong.
Health officials have warned that people who completed their vaccination six to eight months ago risk to have low immunity making them vulnerable of contracting Covid-19.
Currently, scientist recommends an interval of eight to 12 weeks between Covid-19 vaccine doses, on the back of studies suggesting it offers greater immunity.
Scientists, this week, described the eight-week interval as a “sweet spot” for those getting the Pfizer jab, after research showed the wait time generates more neutralising antibodies and “helper” T cells against Delta and other variants of concern than a three-week schedule.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe recently lifted mandatory wearing of masks which will now make many people reluctant in receiving Covid jab.
However, Kagwe said the government is said to be working on a strategy to ramp up vaccination exercise, which will see 60 per cent of the population vaccinated.
A total of 28.5 per cent of the adult population fully vaccinated as of March 10, 2022, according to the latest Ministry of Health figures.
As per the ministry’s data, a total of 17,129,923 vaccines have been administered across the country, out of which, 7,926,069 are partially vaccinated and some 7,835,495 people are fully vaccinated.
On Sunday, at least 8,518 vaccines were administered, a sharp drop from 41,929 administered on March 12.
The number of vaccines administered on March 13 and March 14, also dropped to 8,518 and 4,136, respectively.
