Here in lies the crux of the matter . Kenya rolled out its vaccine initiative on 5th March 2020 . As mentioned previously I opted to be one of the first Guinea pigs in routine setting and got my vaccine on that very day . I was duly informed that I was due for my 2nd jab on 30th April . This means that as I pen this column I should ideally be fully vaccinated .
Lucky me ? But wait ! There was a crisis in India and India revoked its pledge to sell vaccines to the COVAX so Kenya like many other African countries that have not started making their own vaccines are at the mercy of Astra Zeneca . Kenya opted to get it ’ s vaccine through the COVAX facility an initiative through GAVI and vaccine manufacturers to ensure that vaccines are available worldwide to both higher and lower income countries .
Long story short the country has run out of vaccines and I together with majority of people have not received my second jab . Anyone who has received their second jab managed to circumvent the system as currently there is an app ChanjoKE and my 2nd dose has been re-scheduled for Friday 28th May and yet I got vaccinated on the first day . Today is the 20th of May and I hope and pray that by the time you read this I would have received the jab . Unfortunately we are still in Limbo as the 2nd batch is as yet to arrive .
The other issue is the appearance of new variants such as the Indian and South African variants that seem to spread faster and are more lethal than the original strains . Having said that prevention is better than cure , indulge me as I juxtapose the story of the man whose boat capsized into context . He did not know how to swim and prayed to God to save him . Three ( 3 ) boats came successively each beseeching the man to enter and be saved but he refused as he was waiting for God to save him . I don ’ t know how he wanted God to appear in order to save him but obviously the man drowned and died . When in heaven he asked God why didn ’ t you save me and God looked at him incredulously and fumed … but I sent three boats and you refused to enter . He realized the folly of his actions but it was too late .
Knowing fully well that the vaccine doesn ’ t necessarily stop one from getting the infection , it however markedly reduces chances of severe disease and death . As I take my chances with the vaccine , I ’ ll continue to perform routine preventative
I feel , as a strong proponent for the vaccine , the Government should ask for individuals or corporates that have capacity and through intergovernmental ties support the initiative to bring in more vaccines . I would willingly pay for my vaccine and leave the free vaccine to people less fortunate than myself .
measures that include hand washing , wearing masks and social distancing .
Kenya is a very interesting country and I love Kenyans as we never let an opportunity pass ; you just leisurely walk outside KEMSA offices and multimillion contracts land on your lap !
There were some enterprising Kenyans who saw an opportunity to vaccinate people who wanted to get the vaccine in earnest but did not fall under the priority list of people to get the MOH vaccine . They imported Sputnik V , the Russian version of their covid vaccine . Having studied in Russia , I did not have a problem with the vaccine and as can now be seen on international media , Russia seems to have contained it ’ s coronavirus pandemic , to the best of my knowledge there does not appear to have been major spikes of the disease reported there recently .
As usual politics enters as it was claimed our Deputy President was seen receiving the Sputnik V vaccine and it looked like a war between wheelbarrows and reggae proponents of BBI . Although I harbor an urge to remain neutral , I feel it is unfortunate that this initiative was not supported by the government . Unfortunately for the importers of Sputnik V , the Russian embassy in Nairobi also distanced itself from the vaccine .
The government on its own cannot afford to procure and distribute enough vaccines to all Kenyans who are eligible . I do not know why the Russian embassy distanced itself however if it is a safety issue and had capacity to verify that the source was not from Russia then I ’ m fully in support the action .
As a strong proponent for the vaccine the Government should ask for individuals or corporates that have capacity and through intergovernmental ties support this initiative to bring in more vaccines . I would willingly pay for my vaccine and leave the free vaccine to people less fortunate than myself . The challenge may come that people may think the free vaccine is of inferior quality however at least it will be available and access achieved for all .
Seeing as containing the pandemic and getting vaccines may be long shots I hope the nation firmly decides to come up with standards on who should enter the country , and preferably only allow fully vaccinated people from outside the East African community .
Regardless of the direction we take as a country , I pray this pandemic soon comes to an end . The economic , health and psycho-social issues arising from the pandemic has really taken it ’ s toll from direct issues such as death and admission for severe coronavirus disease , and indirect issues like loss of income due to job losses or lack of clientele , to a steep rise in teenage pregnancies and mental health illness to name but a few .
Meanwhile please marshal the will and take matters in your own hands to Stay Safe . Sanitize , Hand Wash , Mask Up and Social Distance !
Dr . Maureen Owiti is a practicing Obstetrician Gynaecologist and fertility consultant based in Nairobi . You can commune with her on this or related matters via email at : Drmaureenowiti @ gmail . com .