BUSIA COUNTY, KWAHO MASS COVID-19 VACCINATION LAUNCHED
The County Government of Busia in partnership with Kenya Water for Health Orgnization (KWAHO) has launched mass Covid-19 vaccination among targeted groups starting Monday, March 14th, 2022.
The vaccination exercise that targets truck drivers, boda boda riders, cross border traders and the youth is part of the county government’s objective of having half of the eligible county population receive the jab by 30th June, 2022.
County Coordinator for Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI), Juliet Kilima said a total of 288,505 people in the county have received first or second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Addressing the press after a two-day stakeholders engagement forum at Farmview Hotel, Ms Kilima said 213,169 people accounting for 40 per cent have received the first dose with75,334 (14%) receiving the second dose.
“Those who have been fully vaccinated across the county accounts for 26% with those aged 40 years and above taking the lion’s share compared to the youth which accounts for 15%, and boda boda riders having only 16% vaccinated from membership of about 100,000,” she said.
She added: ” It’s in view of this low turn out among the youth and boda boda riders that calls for concerted efforts to upscale the number especially among vulnerable groups. It has been proven the jab has no side effects contrary to those who peddle falsehood.”
Kilima said there are 111 vaccinination centres across the country where county residents can access the vaccine, noting that the ministry of Health has now given pregnant mothers and those who breastfeed a go ahead to be vaccinated.
Chairman National Youth Council Busia chapter, Benjamin Sireka and his boda boda counterpart, Erick Makokha said they will marshall their members starting Monday at Busia Soko Posta near Millennium.
The exercise will move to bus stage, matatu terminus and taxi park on Tuesday. It will continue on Wednesday at the fish market and Busia One Stop Border Post.
Sireka thanked KWAHO and the County Government of Busia for the initiative, noting that it’s a worthwhile course that aims at safeguarding the lives of the youth who are future leaders.
” A healthy nation is free from all ailments, the youth have an obligation to turn up in large numbers and be vaccinated to ensure their safety,” Mr Sireka said.
Mr Makokha said prior to his vaccination in December, 2021 he dodged health officials on the need by boda boda riders to get the jab owing to many myths including loss of libido and inability to drive after being vaccinated.
” These were all lies. I have never had any side effects since taking the jab,” he said, pledging to lead the health team to have his members vaccinated across the seven sub counties.
KWOHA Executive Director, Partick Allube said their main focus is on people who lost their livelihoods, mostly the youth by making them aquire entrepreneurial skills.
“We shall also target those who engage in cross border travel like truck drivers and boda boda riders,” he said.
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