Health PS Susan Mochache urges faster uptake of second Covid-19 jab

Health PS Susan Mochache. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Health Permanent Secretary Susan Mochache has appealed for faster uptake of the second Covid-19 vaccine doses.

Mochache has asked Kenyans to visit health facilities across the country starting today, for the administration of the vaccines.

The PS was speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday night, as the Ministry received some 360,000 doses of the vaccine from the Danish Government.

 “From Wednesday, we would wish that people go out and get their second doses. The targeted priority group and those who had already taken the first doses will be the first ones to get the second doses,” Mochache said.

She noted that had it not been for this most recent donation, Kenyans would be left high and dry as only 5,000 Covid-19 vaccines were remaining.

The current doses have a lifespan of about a month and will be safe until end July. The government hopes to have vaccinated as many people until then.

She implored Kenyans not to let their guard down, adding: “Covid is still with us, causing severe sickness and death amongst us.”

So far, 192,093 people have received the second Covid jabs and over 990,000- first doses administered.  Total vaccinations stand at 1,187,663.

The Health Ministry also revealed that it is expecting another consignment of about 180,000 doses in coming weeks from the Covax facility, together with the expected donation of vaccines from the United State.

Kenya hopes to secure another 10 million doses of the vaccine in August. The government says it has already written to the African Union on the same, as it looks to upscale the vaccination program.

Monday’s consignment, a donation from Denmark, was received at JKIA a team of Ministry officials led by Health PS Susan Mochache, Foreign Affairs CAS Ababu Namwamba, Ag. Health Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth and vaccines deployment taskforce Chair Dr. Willis Akhwale.