17-day-old infant among latest Covid cases in Kenya

A 17-day-old infant is among Kenya's latest Covid cases.

This comes as the report from the Health ministry on the state of Covid-19 in Kenya stated that more men are taking the vaccine, compared to women.

The statement noted that as of yesterday, 213,971 men (57 per cent) had been vaccinated, against 164,392 women (43 per cent).

Kenyans who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 have reported mild to moderate side effects, four weeks into the countrywide vaccination exercise.

The side effects range from pain at the injection site, hunger, headache, fever and mild aches, but medics are warning people against trying any treatment as it might reduce the jab’s efficacy.

Kenyans have reported using anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamine to cope with the side effects.

However, Dr Geoffrey Kulabusia, an immunologist and lecturer at Egerton University, advises that the vaccinated brave the side effects unless they become severe.

“The vaccine is meant to elicit some response from the body. This may range from low grade fever, slight headache, general body malaise and reddening at the site of injection. It is only under severe reaction when one can seek medical attention,” Dr Kulabusia.

Some 1,698 positive cases have been reported in Kenya today, pushing the national caseload to 143,063.

The positive cases were from a sample size of 11,352, posting a positivity rate of 14.9 per cent.

Today's 16 deaths now push the country's total fatalities to 2,292.

Some 1,591 Kenyans and 107 foreigners are among those who tested positive for the virus, which also translated to 926 men and 772 women. 

The oldest patient to test positive for Covid-19 in Kenya in the last 24 hours was aged 100.

A statement from the Health ministry on Thursday signed by CS Mutahi Kagwe said the cumulative tests now stand at 1,542,088.

The country's total recoveries went up by 456, now tallying at 97,650.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Response Committee on Covid-19 (NERC), the team tasked with handling Kenya’s Covid-19 preparedness, has said it chose to put on hold the private sector importation, distribution, and administration of the said vaccine in the interest of public health safety.

The Health Ministry admitted that the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) had given Emergency Use Approval for the Sputnik V vaccine in Kenya through a private pharmacy.

“Sputnik vaccine went through the necessary process at the PPB to ensure safety, quality and efficacy. The emergency authorisation was based on conditions,” MoH said on Thursday.

The Mutahi-Kagwe led ministry however maintains that persons who had received the Sputnik jab will get their second doses as scheduled.

The CS also said that no private entity will be involved in acquiring the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and only the government is allowed to procure the jab.  

Kenya hopes to have vaccinated over 400,000 people by the end of this week and have all vaccinated persons get their second doses starting May 5.