In 2019 our world took a turn as the first case of covid 19 was discovered. Some parts of the world had battled with Ebola but this was the first server global epidemic since the 1918 influenza flu. Three years later we are still battling with the corona virus but maybe it is time to accept that this virus is here to stay. There have been a lot of measures put in place to help curb the spread of the virus in Kenya. Such methods have included; social distancing, wearing protective masks, morning and night curfews. But, these measures are merely not enough.
Earlier this year, it was established that Kenyans would have to pay millions of shillings should they be admitted to the intensive care unit after oxygen prices shot up. This is due to the Challenges of procurement and non -payment for services. There is also an increase in the number of covid 19 patients in the country who need oxygen, thus escalating the already dire situation in the country’s oxygen crisis. In August this year, antiviral drugs Remdesivir and bacteria drugs crucial in treating patients with severe cases of viral diseases were out of stock. Not to forget, although Remdesivir has been found to speed up the recovery of severely ill patients, the world health organisation has questioned its effectiveness despite the PPB approving the drug for emergency use in covid 19 patients.
Despite all these, the country is facing a slow uptake of covid 19 vaccines. Kenya’s first face of the covid 19 vaccine rollout targeted 1.25 million people. Still, at the end of its rollout in June, only less than half of the targeted population was vaccinated. But it is facing many problems he accesses vaccines, and there is the uptake hesitancy. Getting access to vaccines is a struggle for most developing countries, but as of now, the government has received donations from all over. With the many options to pick from, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson and morderna, there is hope that Kenyans will embrace vaccination. As days go by, we will see more people getting vaccinated.
With vaccines available all over the world, things are starting to get back to normal. This is, although a new normal. The message is even vaccinated, you are still at risk of contracting the virus, so one should keep safe and follow the guidelines put in place.
