You might soon receive influenza shots free of charge at a health facility near you.
The government said it is in talks with partners to have the influenza vaccines introduced into the routine immunisation schedule.
Currently, the vaccine is found in few select government hospitals and in private hospitals at a cost of between Sh1,000 and Sh2,000.
Even though Kenya has two flu seasons in the year, studies have shown influenza viruses circulate all year.
It is, therefore, expected that a certain number of people will have the flu at any given time which is not considered an outbreak.
The flu season in Kenya mainly follows the rain and the cold weather, usually between April and August.
Surge in transmission also comes during the October-December short rains season.
Experts have always advised that children under five years and adults above 65 should get vaccinated against flu.
These, alongside people with weakened immunity, suffer the most when they catch the influenza virus.
“For those who are immunocompromised, those who are elderly and those who have co-existing medical conditions on top of Covid-19 vaccine, there is the influenza vaccine that you can take,” acting Health director general Patrick Amoth said on Monday.
“The influenza vaccine is not part of the routine immunisation services, but we are working with other partners to ensure that it will be part of the routine immunisation antigens delivered to our people, especially those who are at risk.”
Usually in adults, the annual attack rate is five to 15 per cent, according to various studies.
Attack rate is the percentage of an at-risk population that contracts the disease during a specified time interval.
There are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C and D. Human influenza A and B viruses cause a surge in infections during almost every rainy season in Kenya.
While in most milder cases the flu resolves on its own without significant symptoms, severe cases of type A influenza can be life-threatening, especially for the elderly.
“I know Kenyans love ginger, honey and lemon. During this season please go ahead, those are rich antioxidants and will help protect and increase your immunity such that if when you get a common cold or flu or Covid then it is likely to be milder,” Amoth said.
Even though vaccination remains the most effective way of prevention, flu is also prevented in the same way as Covid-19: handwashing, masking and isolation of people who have symptoms.
In some cases, influenza A symptoms can clear on their own with ample rest and fluid intake.
In other cases, medics may prescribe antiviral medication to fight the infection.
The ministry has since advised those who experience flu like symptoms to stay at home to reduce the rate of transmission.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
