The Ministry of Health has finally identified a Covid-19 vaccine that the government is likely to procure for Kenyans.
While speaking during the two-day Kusi Ideas Festival event held in Kisumu beginning Tuesday, December 8, Health CAS Rashid Aman disclosed that AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine was the drug likely to work in Africa.
The CAS further hinted that there may be an avenue for the country to secure an order of the drug from the British firm AstraZeneca.
"AstraZeneca's vaccine seems to be the one that works for us in Africa.
"The company has entered an agreement with the Serum Institute of India to produce the drugs, and there may be an avenue for us to acquire some through this institute," stated Aman.
AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, also known as AZD1222, is preferred because it can be stored and transported at normal refrigerated temperatures of between two and 8 degrees Celsius for at least six months.
The vaccine can also be administered in existing healthcare settings which makes it preferable over the other vaccines that require ultra-cold storage.
Experts, however, warned Kenyans to continue observing Covid-19 directives and not become reckless at the prospects of a vaccine.
Dr. Khama Rogo, a panelist at the function, said that Africa should look to AstraZeneca vaccine because it will be easy to store and distribute.
CAS Aman emphasized the need for a roll-out strategy with the arrival of the vaccine. He explained that the discovery of a vaccine is quite different from having a vaccination program.
Africa has to strategize on how to get the vaccines that the continent cannot purchase independently.
A 90-year old British woman on Tuesday became the first person in the world to be given the Pfizer Covid-19 jab as part of a mass vaccination program.
