Myths hamper Covid jab uptake in Western, Nyanza

Myths that Covid-19 vaccines suppress libido and fertility have hampered uptake in Western and Nyanza regions.

The Health ministry has raised concerns that, despite some counties in the region having a high population, the uptake of the vaccines remains relatively low.

As of Sunday, 6.9 million vaccines had so far been administered across the country.

Of the number, 4.2 million people had been partially vaccinated, with the proportion of the adult population fully vaccinated standing at 9.8 per cent.

Data from the ministry shows that Kakamega has so far fully vaccinated just 4.7 per cent of the target population since the exercise started in March, Bungoma has vaccinated 5.2 per cent, Busia 4.5 per cent, Siaya 5.3 per cent and Kisii at 3.7 per cent.

Others are Migori at 4.4 per cent, Nyamira at 6.9 per cent, Homa Bay with 3.8 per cent and Vihiga with 6.3 per cent.

“We see the need to address some of the socio-cultural issues that we seem to be hearing from some of the counties,” vaccines deployment taskforce chair Willis Akhwale said.

“There is a lot of variations, we have not seen a very impressive uptake in Western Kenya. All the counties of former Nyanza and Western and when you really interrogate there is something touched on infertility that they strongly belief that the vaccine will cause,” he added.

“That is far from the truth because there have been scientific studies that have shown that they do not even affect the sperm count. We have been in constant touch with interfaith council, we have given them briefs we have included them in our communication campaign,” he said.

Despite the rigorous sensitisation programmes being conducted by the ministry, the myths have instilled fear on citizens making few to come out and get vaccinated.

While some believe that the vaccines were rushed hence not safe for use, there are those who still believe that the jab alters the DNA or might lead to infertility.

On the other hand, Nairobi county is in the lead with 27 per cent of the population fully vaccinated followed by Nyeri county at 21.4 per cent, Kiambu at 15.9 per cent, Laikipia at 13.7 per cent and Taita Taveta at 12.8 per cent.

Other counties doing well in the vaccination include Nyandarua at 11.9 per cent, Murang’a at 11.8 per cent, Uasin Gishu at 11.5 per cent, Kirinyaga at 10.9 per cent while Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kajiado and Embu are at 10.8 per cent, 10.5 per cent, 10.4 per cent, 10.2 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.

On Friday, the government launched a 10-days mass vaccination drive that seeks to among others, help in achieving the 10 million December targets while also demystify any rumours and misinformation that are leading to hesitancy.

So far Kenya has received more than 14 million doses of the vaccines that will go along way in ensuring the 10 million December targets and the 27 million targeted before end of 2022, are achieved.

Kenya received an additional 1,462,400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine on Wednesday in yet another boost for the ongoing accelerated Covid-19 vaccination drive.

The shipment was a donation from development partners with Denmark donating 266,400, Belgium 445,300 while 750,7000 doses were received from Netherlands.

“We are also reviewing the gaps that exist in terms of fields of outreaches because we have had many outreaches that have not yielded the numbers that we require. There are still myths and misconceptions that are going round about these vaccines which we have to demystify,” Andrew Mulwa said.

Mulwa is the head of Division Preventive and Promotive health at the ministry.

-Edited by SKanyara