Health CAS Rashid Aman [Photo: Health Ministry]
The Ministry of Health has urged counties holding on to Covid-19 vaccines to release them, to ensure all eligible Kenyans get vaccinated as outlined in the Phase I inoculation schedule.
This is as fear rises at the devolved units, over a possible unavailability of the second doses of the jab.
The Health Ministry however noted that the country’s vaccination drive will not come to a halt as more vaccines are expected in the country.
During Thursday’s Covid-19 press briefing, Health CAS Rashid Aman confirmed that another 2.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are expected into the country in May.
He added that the delay by the Serum Institute in India was for one month to help cater for their local demand.
“We had expected that consignment would come a little bit earlier this month but because of the action taken by the Indian government, that has been put a delay,” said Aman.
According to the Health Ministry, a total of 616,166 people have so far been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
From this number 132,537 are health workers, 49,859 are security officers, 92,246 are teachers and 341,524 are other members of the public who include those of 58 years and above.
Health officials say, the numbers indicate that men continue to exhibit greater enthusiasm than women in being vaccinated against Covid-19.
Males account for 56 per cent of those vaccinated compared to 44 per cent of females.
Kenyans have been assured that those who have received their first dose will definitely get the second dose, as the government works on bringing in the second consignment of the Covax-supplied vaccine in good time.