Kenya runs out of the second dose of COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine

The country is facing a stock out of COVID-19 vaccines to issue as second doses to healthcare workers among other frontline workers.

This comes after a number of medical practitioners complained about missing their second jab despite being alerted to get it in various facilities.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is now raising the alarm, even as the Ministry of Health asks for patience, as they await 350,000 doses to arrive in the country from Denmark.

“Most of them are going to the centres where they are supposed to receive this particular vaccine after receiving the texts, and those facilities say they do not have the vaccines,” said KMPDU National Secretary General, Dr.  Davji Bhimji Atellah.

One of the doctors we spoke to after missing a second dose at Mbagathi, narrated their experience: “I woke up early and by 8.30 I was there. The nurse in charge said she had already issued the 350 doses. I proceeded to Afya Annex Nascop where I was told to go back on Monday for the jab, as there was a list of those to be vaccinated.”

“The govt has institutional history and capacity to do good vaccinations and so it is something they can roll out and even ensure all those who got the first dose get the second dose…,” said Dr. Bill Muriuki, Secretary General, KMPDU Central branch.

On twitter, tweets reading of disappointment from a section of Kenyans were evident with a majority of those affected being those who were scheduled to take the jab from Mbagathi hospital.

Those we spoke to from the hospital saying queues of people waiting to get the jab can be seen from as early as 5am.

The Ministry of Health acknowledges the challenge but does not indicate when exactly the dose will be available.

“That is why we want to promote local manufacturing of the vaccines and pharmaceuticals and even non pharmaceuticals…,” added Dr. Patrick Amoth, Acting Director General, Ministry of Health.

Dr.  Davji bhimji atellah – national secretary general, kmpdu (most important thing is budget for vaccine, so that they can be bought, because we have been depending on donations of vaccine

Meanwhile, the National Government is finalising its plans regarding what measures to take to contain the spread of the virus in the Lake Basin region.

“It is absolutely necessary we enhance measures in Nyanza, and Western. We might be led to introduce new measures to deal with movement and some of the social activities,” said Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i.

In Nyandarua County, Uhuru Primary School has been closed indefinitely after 16 pupils and 4 teachers tested positive for the virus.

Over 1 million people have received a jab of the COVID-19 vaccine, 164,561 having received the 2nd dose.