Baringo Chief Officer (CO) for Medical Services Salome Chelimo has said that the county is targeting to vaccinate 179,000 people in the latest vaccination drive against Covid-19.
Speaking when she officially launched a 10-day Covid-19 vaccination exercise in Kabarnet Town, Chelimo said they are rolling out the vaccination drive across the county with much attention on youth and learners in the various institutions.
She said that the focus has been informed by the fact that the county recorded low uptake of vaccines with most youth staying away from the lifesaving vaccines.
The medical services CO stated that the health department has fully vaccinated a paltry 22.3 per cent of the population with most youth aged 12 up to 24 years avoiding the jab.
“In order for us to win the fight against Covid-19 everybody must get vaccinated besides maintaining the protocols laid down by the Ministry of Health,” she said.
She challenged the youth to embrace the exercise by turning out in large numbers and get vaccinated since they are the population who are likely to endanger the lives of the elderly in the society.
The Chief Officer, accompanied by County director of Preventive and Promotive Health Dr Patrick Boruett also dispelled rumors that the vaccines are likely to cause side effects, stating that in fact they are very safe when administered on human body.
Baringo Central director of Education George Ngao lauded the programme stating that it is one way of offering prevention against Covid 19 in institutions of learning.
Ngao noted that the ten-day vaccination drive will benefit majority groups in both secondary schools and upper primary and in turn curb the spread of the virus.
Aminata Ambani, a representative of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said that during the exercise they will also be offering booster vaccines to the aged and individuals who are less immune.
By Mathew Kipkorir and Joshua Kibet
