Kenya Goes for Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines After AstraZeneca Delay

The government is in the process of procuring two million doses of Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to supplement the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Wednesday said there is a serious challenge in the global supply of the AstraZeneca jab after India suspended exports due to its COVID-19 situation.

He added that the high demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine has made it impossible for the COVAX facility to meet demand in Africa.

The delay in delivery of the vaccine has forced the government to outsource from other manufacturers and suppliers.

Kagwe indicated that the African Union (AU) has negotiated with Johnson & Johnson to enable member states to acquire the vaccine at discounted prices.

The two vaccines must pass the World Health Organization (WHO) approval and the country’s stringent rules before being distributed in the country.

The CS added that the government will acquire special storage facilities for the Pfizer vaccine, which requires minus 70 degrees in storage. 

Kenya revised its vaccination schedule and now seeks to inoculate 25 million adults against COVID-19 by June 2022.

As of Monday, a total of 702,170 people had been vaccinated across the country, according to the Ministry of Health data.

The number includes 397,539 people aged 58 years and above, 141,146 healthcare workers, 106,147 teachers, and 57,338 security officers.