The Kenyan Medical Research Institute KEMRI is testing Covid-19 vaccine in Kilifi and other Coastal counties. Details have emerged.
Reports reaching this desk showed that ChAdOxl nCoV-19 Vaccine is already being tested in Kilifi with a promise to be over 70% effective.
Details showed that the global roll out of the drug was in advanced stages awaiting approvals from relevant authorities.
UK based Astra Zeneca has since indicated that the vaccine may cost only $3 or sh 327 for one to get vaccinated which is quiet affordable for any class of persons.
Already a total of 40 front-liners in the health sector had been injected with the drug in Kilifi. Another 360 volunteers are targeted for the second phase around Mombasa County.
To officially take course in the country, Health Ministry noted that they were still keen on approving that which will be safe for Kenyans but most likely the UK ChAdOxl nCoV-19 Vaccine was already on top of their list.
“We could easily enter into a bilateral partnership with Astra Zeneca to get more doses as this vaccine was very promising because it shows protection against all age groups and could also stop transmission of the virus,” Health Director-General Patrick Amoth stated, hinting at approving the Ksh 327 vaccine.
But even as this drug takes shape in the Kenyan market, other players from the US like Pfizer has been reported to cost sh 2000 while Moderna will be trading between $15 (sh 1635) to $25 (sh 2725).
CS Kagwe had earlier indicated his reservations on the Pfizer drug stating he could not understand how the drug, in the first place, would work.
“For me, I have reservations about it,” Kagwe stated on Wednesday, November 11, while addressing MPs in Parliament.
He would later issue a statement defending his earlier stand saying he was taken out of context by members of the public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, my ministry considers vaccination and or immunization to be our core part of efforts for preventing diseases for which vaccines are available,” he clarified but noted that he would not want to rush into something that was not yet tested withing the country citing safety first through due diligence.
