Misleading beliefs are to blame for the declining uptake of Covid-19 vaccinations in Kakamega.
The county government has continued to urge residents to ensure they get fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in health facilities across the region to guard themselves against the effects of the virus.
The county health office has assured residents that the vaccine has been tested to ensure effectiveness and safety from the deadly virus.
County health awareness officer Tabitha Kiberenge said some beliefs in the region have played a huge part in discouraging people from taking up the vaccines and thus hampering the war against Covid-19.
She said the plan is to ensure at least 70 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated despite the glaring challenges.
Speaking on Monday, the official urged residents to let go of myths and rumours peddled around and instead find the right information from the Ministry of Health.
“This is a vaccine that has been tested and has been found to be effective in bringing down the number of infections and fatalities in many countries across the globe. As a county, we have a target of 70 per cent and that will only happen if people turn up and get vaccinated,” she said.
Initially, Kakamega was position three among counties where Covid-19 vaccinations had been consistently implemented.
Kiberenge however said the county had now dropped to position five in the country as people stayed away from the lifesaving shot.
“If we don’t do something and change these numbers, we will keep dropping and that will mean the disease might prove difficult to handle. We are asking people to go get vaccinated,” she added.
The official said some cultures in the region have played a huge part in discouraging people from taking up the vaccines and thus hampering the war against Covid-19.
Kiberenge also said many residents have continued to downplay and ignore directives issued by the Ministry of Health in the quest to contain Covid-19.
She said Covid-19 is a reality and that there is a need for people to keep wearing face masks in public, observe the one-meter physical distancing and avoid shaking hands to keep it in check.
-Edited by SKanyara
