Teachers in Isiolo County are being encouraged to get the Covid 19 vaccine.
This is after most of them were skeptical about the side effects as an aftermath of the jab.
Speaking after getting the vaccine jab, at Isiolo General Hospital, Mr. Abdullahi Rashid who is the head teacher Wabera Primary School and also doubles up as the Chairperson Head Teachers Association in Isiolo County, urged all teachers within the region to turn up in large numbers and get vaccinated.
It was noted that fear by the teachers was brought about by rumours in social media about blood clotting and fatigue, arising from the jab. Tensions raised even more after eight countries in Europe boycotted use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine although it was made in the UK at two sites – in Oxford and Keele.
It is feared that out of a total number of about 1,500 teachers in the county, less than 15 have been vaccinated.
He expressed fear with the emergence of the deadly third wave which is more contagious, evidenced by the rising numbers of infections and deaths witnessed across the country and the globe at large.
Mr. Abdullahi also commended the Government led by the president Uhuru Kenyatta, together with the First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and top officials for getting the jab and leading by example.
“I would like to ask the County’s Ministry of Health to reserve vaccines for teachers who will later on change their minds and embrace the vaccine. This is because we teachers interact with a large number of pupils especially when schools reopen by May,” he added.
by Parklea Ivor