No vaccines for Kenyans as second dose day approaches

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenyans began lining up as early as 4 a.m. (0100GMT) at coronavirus vaccination centers Thursday after receiving messages from the Health Ministry asking them to get their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

A frustrated and angry resident showed a message from the Health Ministry to Anadolu Agency that said: ”You are scheduled to take your 2nd dose at Machakos Level 5 Hospital powered by MoH [Ministry of Health].“

After being at the hospital from early morning to late evening Caroline Memusi was turned away when the hospital informed her that “you will get a message to alert you on when to come but right now please go home, we have not received any vaccines.”

Newspapers published stories of angry Kenyans who thought that after receiving the message they were guaranteed to received their second jabs.

The Health Ministry acknowledged that it is facing a vaccine shortage and urged patience.

A total of 660 people on Thursday tested positive for the virus, from a sample size of 6,176 in the last 24 hours.

The positivity rate is now 10.7%. Total confirmed positive cases are now 177,282 and cumulative tests conducted are 1,887,636.

Six patients died from the disease with one occurring in the last 24 hours, while the other five are late deaths reported after conducting facility record audits. Cumulative fatalities stand at 3,434.

Kenya revised a curfew in 13 counties on Wednesday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. because of increased infections.

Busia, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Bungoma, Kericho, Bomet, Trans Nzoia, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa-Bay and Migori constitute 60% of the national caseload.

Weekly non-food and livestock markets have been suspended in the hotspot zone for 30 days. All forms of physical and congregational worship in hotspot counties were also suspended for 30 days.