Covid-19 vaccine rollout off to slow start as hesitancy grows

Kakamega County Teaching and Referral hospital nursing officer Beverlyne Wambani (inject) injects the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Health Dr Collins Matemba with AstraZeneca vaccine on March 12, 2021. [Photo/Nathan Ochunge/Standard]

The Covid-19 vaccine being rolled out in Kenya appears to be receiving a lukewarm reception from health workers, teachers and security personnel.

In Kakamega, for instance, only two people have received the Oxford-Astrezeneca vaccine as per the count last week. Among reasons for cold reception include misinformation, disinformation, religious beliefs and lack of opinion shapers like the president taking the lead. Medics argue that they have not been involved in the roll-out of the vaccine.