Another batch of 182,400 doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine has arrived in the country.
The vaccines arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Thursday morning at around 7.45 am.
The vaccines were donated by the Government of France to the Covax facility and transported by Unicef.
The plane carrying the jabs was received at the airport by senior Kenya Government officials led by Dr Willis Akhwale, the Ministry of Health Chairman of Covid Vaccine Deployment Taskforce, French Political Counsellor Emmanuel Dagron and Unicef Representative Maniza Zaman.
This is a boost to Kenya that has been struggling to get enough doses to administer the second jab to those who have already receive their first dose.
As of Wednesday, 489,711 Kenyans had received their second dose while 1,021,982 had received the first dose.
“We have recently embarked on vaccinating our people for the second dose, so this comes at a critical time. It will ensure our health workers, teachers and other essential workers are protected, and that our health centres countrywide can continue providing vital care to people affected by Covid-19,” Akhwale said.
The French President has pledged to donate 60 million doses of vaccine to countries in need around the world, including Kenya, before the end of 2021 and at least 2.6 million doses have already been distributed.
“France, EU and Covax are keen to work with the Kenyan government in its effort to tackle Covid-19. We hope that these 182,400 doses of vaccine will help to give access to a second dose to many at-risk Kenyans,” Dagron said.
The rollout of the national vaccination campaign is being led by the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and other partners.
The Government of Kenya is currently prioritising second doses for health workers, teachers, other essential workers and people aged over 58.
“Covid-19 vaccines save lives, keep health and other essential services running, and support the recovery from the pandemic. That’s why Unicef is pleased to once again be supporting the Government of Kenya in procuring and transporting these vital vaccines,” Zaman said.
