The government through the Ministry of Health has reiterated the call for Kenyans to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Speaking to the press in Kisii Central Sub County on Friday, Health Principal Secretary (PS) Susan Mochache said there are sufficient vaccines in health facilities countrywide and the vaccines are free of charge.
“We are making a very strong call for Kenyans to go and get vaccinated. The vaccines are available in all our major public hospitals, at the faith-based hospitals and private hospitals,” Mochache said.
The PS urged Kenyans to ignore misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines, especially on the basis that they cause infertility saying those who have been vaccinated over the past two years are living normal lives.
Mochache pointed out that about 20 million Kenyans had not been vaccinated and they are still making the country vulnerable to the virus.
She added that the cold season is very conducive for the spread of coronavirus and everyone should continue to adhere to the other health protocols of washing hands, sanitizing, and maintaining social distance.
“As a government, we have now been compelled to re-introduce the need to wear masks as a mandatory requirement so that we can curb the transmission which is happening and spreading very rapidly,” said the PS.
On matters of vaccinating children against Covid-19, Mochache noted that children from the age of 14 could be vaccinated and urged parents to assist in the mobilization process as it has been proven worldwide that the vaccines are safe for children at that age.
She said that children in high school who have reached that age, all students in higher education centers of learning, universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and colleges should get vaccinated to achieve the 70 per cent vaccination rate so that Kenya can be a safe country.
Additionally, the PS pointed out that there was no confirmed case of the Monkeypox virus in Kenya and its neighbouring countries.
Mochache noted that the country has heightened its surveillance systems and the response teams are ready to tackle the virus in case it makes its way into the country.
She said that the experience of the country with Covid-19 has ensured an increased level of preparedness in dealing with a pandemic and therefore, it will be up to the Ministry of Health to scale up and roll out response mechanisms to tackle Monkeypox cases once they are reported.
Kenya has experienced an upsurge in new Covid-19 infections in recent days and as such, the Ministry of Health has launched an accelerated vaccination campaign to increase the number of fully vaccinated Kenyans against the virus.
