Kenyans to receive second Covid-19 dose in June 2021 – KBC

Kenyans will receive their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine starting the first week of June 2021, the Ministry of Health has said.

The decision comes after the National Taskforce on Covid-19 Vaccines Deployment and vaccination revised the interval period for the administration of the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine to 12 weeks.

“This means that the country will begin administering the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the first week of June 2021,” read a statement from the Health Ministry.

“This is to urge all those who received the first dose to remain patient and await their second dose 12 weeks from the date of their first dose. It is worth noting that the Coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) disease is new, rapidly evolving and information on prevention, treatment and vaccination is changing every so often based on scientific research and evidence,” the statement read.

The Health Ministry said that is working with the COVAX Facility to secure the second consignment of of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the country as soon as possible.

The programme ensures that low and middle-income countries worldwide can access Covid-19 vaccines.

Kenyans eligible for the vaccine have been encouraged to take the vaccine when it becomes available.

“Efforts to acquire more Covid-19 vaccines are underway to ensure as many eligible people are fully vaccinated in the shortest time possible and the entire adult population will be vaccinated by June 2022,” said the Health Ministry.

The Ministry of Health has called on Kenyans to remain vigilant by adhering to Covid-19 safety protocols.

So far, 930,000 persons have received the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine.