Makueni County Commissioner (CC), Maalim Mohammed, has expressed his concern over the low number of people being vaccinated despite the government availing various types of vaccines.
Mohammed said that out of 158,337 people who have received the first dose, only 74,980 have gone for their second dose in the County.
The Administrator reminded the residents that the vaccines have a date of expiry thus the government will incur loses, therefore there is need for people to go for vaccination.
“We have had 13 per cent of people who have received the 1st dose besides a 5.1 per cent who have received the second dose in mitigating Covid-19. If this dismal performance continues, then it will be hard to vaccinate the 570,715 people targeted in the county,” said Mohammed.
The CC was briefing the media in his Wote Office after meeting with the team from the National Multi-agency Command Centre (NMACC) for Covid-19 from Nairobi.
He said that the National Government in collaboration with the County Government, will mount mobile vaccination campaigns, besides sensitizing wananchi through the government structures that extends to the grass roots level to boost the number of people being vaccinated.
Mohammed, therefore, appealed to the residents to heed government’s directive to be vaccinated besides urging the locals to shun some myths associated with the vaccine.
“As Kenyans we should not be pushed every time. Everything the government does is meant for your own good. Disregard some of the myths associated with the vaccination,” he said.
Mohammed challenged civil servants to lead by example, saying those who have not gone for their second dose should do so, saying they were in danger if they failed to take the vaccination.
“I tell civil servants, they are supposed to be role models in the community. Many took the first dose but a few have gone for the second dose. Know that you are at risk of contracting the disease if you fail to be vaccinated in the second round,” said the County Commissioner.
He said there are four active cases, whereby, two are admitted in hospital and the other two are at Home Based Care, adding that a total 2,306 people have contracted the Covid-19 disease in the County since breakout.
However, Mohammed urged the residents to continue wearing of face masks, wash hands and keeping social distance as a measure to ensure no one contracts the disease in the area.
By Patrick Nyakundi
