Kenya is reporting a slow uptake of Covid-19 vaccines by the elderly in several counties following the lifting of the curfew last month, despite the steady progress towards achieving herd immunity.

According to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, only 18 percent of the elderly have been fully vaccinated.

“We are particularly concerned by the low uptake of Covid-19 vaccines in counties with high population densities like Siaya, Meru, Bungoma, Busia, Migori, Kakamega, and Homa Bay where full vaccination status is below 5 percent,” CS Kagwe said.

Mr Kagwe, however, acknowledged the current decline in the number of new infections saying it has been attributed to a buildup of immunity both through natural exposure to the disease and the ongoing vaccination exercise.

In the last 24 hours, 18 new infections were recorded from a sample size of 3,982 posting a positivity rate of 0.5 percent.

At the same time, the total confirmed Covid cases stand at over 254,000 with cumulative tests of over 2.8 million.

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The CS also noted that the overall goal of achieving herd immunity in Kenya is to vaccinate at least 30 million Kenyans before the end of next year.

As of November 21, statistics from the Ministry of Health showed over 6.3 million vaccines had been administered across the country. Of these, 3.9 million were partially vaccinated while those fully vaccinated were 2.4 million.

The uptake of the second dose among those who received their first dose was at 56.4 percent, while the proportion of adults fully vaccinated was 8.8 percent.

Meanwhile, the CS said the total recoveries now stand at 247,975 after 21 patients recovered from the virus.

There was no death reported on Monday, therefore, the cumulative fatalities remain at 5,328.

“A total of 351 patients are currently admitted to various health facilities countrywide, while 977 are under the home-based isolation and care program. Twenty patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), nine of whom are on ventilatory support and 11 on supplemental oxygen.”

No patient is under observation while 112 patients are separately on supplemental oxygen with 111 of them being in the general wards.

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