Samwel Doe Ouma@samweldoe
Kenyans should have confidence with the covid-19 vaccines and get vaccinated to reach herd immunity, molecular biologist has said.
Speaking during Africa Science Media Centre (AfriSMC) press briefing Prof Phelix Majiwa a molecular biologists and Professor on the faculty of veterinary science at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, advised journalists, faith leaders, local community leaders, professionals and scientists to explain to the people the need for vaccination as a means of disease control.
“All approved Vaccines are safe and effective despite the emergence of new variants, people should be made aware that the risk of getting the disease is greater than not getting vaccinated,” Prof Majiwa told Journalists.
Recently, Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe said that Kenyans seeking in-person government services should be fully vaccinated and proof of vaccination availed by December 21, 2021.
The public services will include Kenya Revenue Authority services, education, immigration, hospital and prison visitations, NTSA and port services.
According to Ministry of Health data as of November 21st 2021, total of 6,388,427 vaccines had so far been administered across the country. Of these, 3,986,501 were partially vaccinated while those fully vaccinated were 2,401,926.
About 6.4 million vaccinations have been administered, with about 2.4 people fully inoculated.
Kenya’s virus cases have dropped, with the positivity rate ranging from 0.8 percent to 2.6 percent over the past two weeks. The government is, however, wary of new spikes over the Christmas season.
Kenya’s national medicines regulator- Pharmacy and Poisons Board- has also given emergency authorization for the use of Pfizer Inc.’s vaccines on teenagers.
He added, “Journalists should engage with scientists in order to acquire knowledge and seek clarifications on emerging scientific issues and new studies saying that passing the right information to the people will increase the likelihood of vaccine uptake on the targeted population.”
“If Kenya continues to proceed at such a slow pace with its vaccination programme, it could have the effect of prolonging the pandemic adding that we should get everybody vaccinated to reach herd immunity.”
He decried on the risks of deliberate misinformation saying that despite most of it being peddled online it is very unfortunate that those misinformation is partly coming from church leaders, who should be the advocates for uptake of vaccines.
Kenya has reported a total of 254,629 COVID-19 cases and 5,325 deaths since March 2020.
