admin_county March 8, 2021

Healthcare workers to get COVID-19 vaccination jab first, says Dr Gichuki

The County Government of Nakuru has kicked off the vaccination drive of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab with a key focus on the frontline healthcare workers.

The County targets to vaccinate about 11,000 healthcare workers, members of the County Health Management Teams, drivers, cleaners and other hospital employees.

County Minister for Health Dr Kariuki Gichuki said Nakuru County has received 30,000 doses and will be receiving more units in the coming days for wider coverage.

Experts say a single shot of the vaccine is highly protective, reducing the chance of someone getting ill and needing hospital treatment by more than 80 per cent.

However, Dr Gichuki, while citing the new and potent South Africa variant, urged the public to continue observing the set COVID-19 containment measures irrespective of the availability of the vaccine.

The exercise will be rolled out in other hospitals across the County in the course of the week. Unlike other jabs – that have to be kept at an extremely cold temperature (-70C) – the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored in a normal fridge.

Nakuru has so far recorded 4,961 confirmed infection cases and 102 deaths since the first case of COVID-19 was first reported in the County in late March last year.

Among the first people to receive the vaccine today were the County Director for Health, Dr Daniel Wainaina, Dr Benedict Osore and Ms Elizabeth Kiptoo among other County healthcare managers.