‘My stand on Covid vaccine taken out of context,’ says Kagwe

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has said that his sentiments on the recently launched Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine have been taken out of context.

The CS sent a rejoinder to the newsrooms rubbishing media reports that he doubted the vaccine, whose efficacy was reported to be 90 per cent. But in retrospect, Kagwe appeared before Senate on Wednesday where he talked about country's progress in fighting the virus and ended up making reservations on the vaccine too.

A viral clip has been circulated on social media showing the CS marvelled and asking the lawmakers how a 'disease' can be ‘extracted’ to fight another disease.

He said: “Yes we are hearing there is a vaccine…Pfizer say there is a vaccine but personally to tell you the truth, I have many doubts about it because they were talking about a disease [sic] that stops people from getting the virus.

He added: “Now, I would like to know how they knew in the first place that I was going to get the virus…we are talking about treatment when I have a virus…but when you tell me that I stopped you from getting the virus…how would you know I was going to get the virus in the first place?"

'Wasn’t me'

But just a few hours after taking the online sticks, Mr Kagwe issued a statement explaining his stand. He said that his doubts are on the percentage effectiveness of the vaccine- an opinion which he said are shared by medical experts.

“This clip has been taken out of context as it was specifically directed at reports of Pfizer developing a vaccine that is reported to be 95 per cent effective; this response is driven by the reaction of top medics and if well guided, perhaps we all should share in it,” he noted.

The CS cautioned that Kenya will not rush into banking on unproven intervention measures such as using any vaccine being developed by profit-driven firms.

“We will not commit the Kenyan taxpayers' money to pre-order vaccine candidate with little if any peer-reviewed evidence supporting their efficacy. We should instead wait for globally and scientifically acceptable vaccines.  We are on the side of caution,” he added.

Kagwe said the government is monitoring several other vaccines currently on the third stage trial and will definitely settle on what suits the country.

“We are monitoring them with a view of protecting Kenyan lives and availing the safest options at the soonest appropriate time,” Kagwe said.

“…my ministry considers vaccination and/or immunisation to be a core part of our efforts at preventing diseases for which vaccines are available,” he added.

Vaccine announced

On Monday, Pfizer and German drugmaker BioNTech SE announced a breakthrough in trialling the vaccine which they said commanded a high percentage of effectiveness.

According to Reuters, Pfizer Chairman and chief executive Albert Bourla lauded the step as a great win for humanity in reference to the fight against Covid-19.

“We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most with infection rates setting new records, hospitals nearing over-capacity and economies struggling to reopen,” Bourla said.