President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the Health ministry to enhance border security to keep out new Covid-19 strains.
The surveillance will include all informal entry points.
Uhuru noted the country remains at high risk of importation of new virus strains that have been circulating on the continent.
“The Ministry of Health shall strengthen the existing Covid-19 genomic surveillance to monitor the circulating strains in the country for purposes of informing policy decisions as well as public health interventions,” the President said in his 14th address to the nation.
“All isolation facilities in the country must be maintained at a high state of preparedness through continued capacity and provision of adequate PPE for healthcare workers; supported by the continuous implementation of infection prevention and control measures.”
He further ordered county governments to enhance investment in piped and portable oxygen to isolation and critical care treatment facilities for the management of severe cases.
The President maintained that the vaccine procured is safe as it has been tested and prequalified by the World Health Organization.
“This vaccine has been tested and our medical experts are persuaded that its safety profile is bankable.”
The first phase of vaccination is targeting front line health workers, uniformed personnel and teachers.
The second phase will target the elderly people and those with pre-existing conditions.
