CS Kagwe Confirms Govt has Ordered China-made Vaccine

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addressing the media on November 26, 2020
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addressing the media on November 26, 2020
File

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has confirmed that the government has ordered the China-made Covid-19 vaccine, SinoPharm, even as the country registered 11 Covid-19 related deaths on New Year's Eve.

The CS made the announcement on Friday, January 1, outside Afya House after witnessing the signing of the return to work formula by the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers effectively ending their strike.

Kagwe also revealed that the vaccines would be expected to arrive in February.

“By the end of the second week of February, we might have the vaccine. Police, teachers and health care workers will be vaccinated first. There will be no mandatory vaccination of anyone. It will be for those who are willing," stated Kagwe.

An image of a Covid-19 vaccine
A woman holds a small bottle labelled with a "Vaccine Covid-19" sticker taken on April 10, 2020.
File

Kenya recorded 156 more Covid-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours as the country's total caseload rose to 96,612.

Kagwe announced that 4,317 samples had been tested over the period bringing the total number of samples tested so far to 1,050,984.

Of the positive cases, 96 are male and 60 are female while the youngest is a seven-month-old child. The oldest is 78

Today, 65 patients have recovered from the disease, 61 being from the Home-Based Care Program, while 4 have been discharged from various hospitals. The total recoveries now stand at 78,802.

Currently, there are 661 patients admitted in various health facilities countrywide and 2,960 on Home Based Isolation and Care. 

28 patients are hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

He also warned that there might be a slight surge in cases after schools reopen on Monday, January 4, but assured Kenyans that the Ministry of Education was well prepared.

“Parents and County government officials must ensure that there are measures put in place and there is strict adherence to them. We have issued protocols on how to operate including protection of children and teachers as well,” stated Kagwe.

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