NAIROBI, 20 April – The Senate Committee on Health presided by Ag Chair, Sen Ledama Olekina has today heard that the country’s supply of the Astra Zeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine may run out by next week.

In a meeting held between the Committee and the private sector, Dr. Amit Thakker who is the Chair of the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF), however, allayed fears of those expecting their second jabs, saying he remained optimistic.

“The first vaccine that the DG [Dr. Patrick Amoth] got was in March, so he will be due in June, after three months. We are hoping that the 12-week cycle in Kenya works well,” said Dr. Thakker.

“What we will be a bit worried about is if the embargo and the exportation from India is pushed forward by two-three weeks or a month or two. But so far the consignments look good.”

Dr. Thakker also reported that he was part of the Technical Working Group – which draws membership from government agencies and the private sector – that expects to finalize the legal regulatory framework for Kenya in a fortnight. The framework shall detail the role and guidelines for the private sector in complementing government efforts toward improving the channels of vaccine supply.

The meeting also learned that KHF has submitted an appeal letter to the CS, Ministry of Health (MoH) seeking an audience to present an urgent regulatory outline to allow local distribution and inoculation of the 70,000 Sputnik V vaccines – which are in the process of being exported – and whose integrity and potency remains intact.

Others present at the meeting included: Sen Michael Mbito, Sen Beth Mugo, Sen (Prof) Sam Ongeri, Sen Millicent Omanga, Sen (Dr) Abdullahi Ali, Sen Fred Outa, and Sen Mary Senata.