Ministry of Sports: 2000 athletes, officials have been vaccinated against COVID-19

With the recent introduction of the Covid-19 vaccination for sportsmen and women in the country, it seems Wazito FC Kit Manager Eric Obare was not very comfortable with jabs as clearly seen in the pictures during the teams vaccination exercise at MISC, Kasarani Gymnasium on April 10, 2021. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

The Ministry of Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Nairobi Metropolitan Services has vaccinated 2000 athletes, athlete handlers and frontline Ministry officials.

The exercise that ended on Sunday targeted teams bound for the 2020Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in Japan including- Rugby Shujaa, Rugby Lionesses, Volleyball Women, Athletics, Paralympics, Shooting, Judo and Taekwondo.

The vaccination exercise was also extended to the national teams preparing for Continental and World championships including Kabaddi, Harambee Starlets, Harambee Stars and Basketball.

Personnel working on the WRC Safari Rally Kenya were also vaccinated.

Members of eleven Nairobi based football Club were also vaccinated.

The clubs include Money bags, Wazito newbies Bidco United, 

Gor Mahia, Kariobangi Sharks, Bankers KCB, Slum Boys, Mathare United, Nairobi City Stars, Posta Rangers Sofapaka  and Tusker AFC Leopards.

“We are grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe and Nairobi Metropolitan Services for availing the vaccines and for their continued support as the teams prepare for the competitions,” Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohammed said in a press statement.

“The vaccines were fully provided, facilitated, and administered by the Government. We also appreciate the County Governments of Mombasa, 

Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet for their involvement in  the vaccination of our athletes based outside Nairobi County.”

Coach Wheelchair athletics Eunice Otieno is being vaccinated Enid Kanywa (left) after the launch by CS Sports Amina Mohamed (right) at the start of Intensive National Vaccination Exercise of Kenyan athletes at Kasarani Stadium  [Jonah Onyango, Standard]]

CS Amina also said that they have partnered with the Ministry of Health to administer the second dose of vaccine to 2000 Athletes and Athlete Handlers.

 “I want to assure all athletes who have received their first dose that the Ministry will see to it that they get their second dose as soon as the vaccines are available,” she added.

 “We are also encouraged that our athletes, who received the first dose, have tested negative for subsequent COVID-19 tests done within and outside Kenya in the past 30 days.”

“We remain optimistic that this trend will continue in the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Games, World Cup Qualifiers, WRC Safari Rally Kenya, World Athletics Under 20 Championships and various continental events.”

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