There is no shortage of information about Covid-19 vaccination in Kenya. Much of it is based on what our political and community leaders tell us. It is alright given that we look up to them for leadership, guidance and direction in many spheres of life.  Immunizations are no different. However, the existing EPI program vaccines in Kenya face severe resistance from some citizens so it will not surprise anyone if the Covid-19 vaccine suffers a similar fate.

What happens in many cases is a lack of credible information. In the absence of knowledge, mystery fills the void. Mystery quickly mutates to fear, and this gives birth to a formidable mob psychology. You are a tin god if you can win against a people united by common ignorance.

This is where we as healthcare workers change the story. We keep informing people of the normal to teach them the abnormal and then hope that someday, it will all make sense.

Here is to an attempt at doing exactly that.

DISCLAIMER:

Any information on this blog including this post is my own personal interpretation and should not be used as a replacement to your healthcare provider’s advice or your own due diligence.

Which vaccine has been received by Kenya’s Ministry of health?

The vaccine is called the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine. This simply means that it was developed by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. It has a medical name which I will not bore you to tears with. The trade name is Covishield. Trade names are names which companies use to sell their medications. For example, a common painkiller in Kenya is paracetamol. Companies sell it under different names like Tylenol and Panadol. I hope you understand this.

How will it work?

This is a viral vector vaccine. It is different from the Pfizer and the Moderna Covid-19 vaccines. A viral vector vaccine works by using known viruses which are genetically engineered to produce coronavirus proteins in the body. Genetically engineering the virus means that it will not cause a disease in a human being. Kindly note that the Pfizer vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses very new technology and does not require any virus for it to help the body.

Once injected, the vaccine will cause a reaction in your body. This reaction is in your immune system. The immune system helps to fight off any germs. It will get triggered to form antibodies that are specific to Covid-19 proteins. Antibodies are like little soldiers that come out of hiding when germs appear. Antibodies are so clever that they keep memory of that particular microorganism. In this case, our infecting microorganism is the Covid-19 virus.

The Covid-19 virus requires its proteins for it to be able to attach to our body cells. If we target these proteins, then we hit it where it hurts. Most vaccines in the market and others to come will target these proteins in one way or the other. The vaccine we have in Kenya does exactly that.

How safe is it?

Currently, the vaccine has been shown to be safe. However, special attention is made to some groups. For instance, Kenya will only vaccinate adults as defined in the constitution of Kenya. Probably because you need to be able to understand and give consent for the vaccine to be administered by the nurse.

Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women should seek medical advice from their doctors whether to get vaccinated or wait. People with severe allergies that need them to use EPIPENS are advised to get the vaccine only under explicit advice from their allergy specialists.

The government’s instructions have highlighted that severe egg and chicken allergies are contraindications to vaccination. This information acutely differs in some ways with the manufacturer’s information. It is always prudent however, to abide by the local policy. If the ministry of health in Kenya stipulates that Severe Chicken and egg allergies are contraindications to getting vaccinated with this vaccine, then all people in Kenya must comply with this regulation.

It is important for me to mention that this vaccine is safe even for people living with HIV.

What if I react to it?

There exists a chance for you to react with the products used in the manufacturing of this vaccine. Some of the common side effects that people have reported include;

• Pain at the injection site
• Headache
• Generally feeling unwell

These are easily managed as they appear. It is important that you stay at the vaccination centre for about half an hour after the jab for observation purposes.

I sincerely hope that the government is rolling out acute allergy kits for our nurses and doctors to use at the vaccination centres. There is a need to have them around just in case a severe anaphylaxis happens. It would happen with any new medications or even a food substance. Being forearmed saves lives.

Must I get Vaccinated?

There is a study I am involved in where we are trying to find out how long the Covid-19 antibodies last in someone’s body. What I am trying to tell you is that though you may have recovered from Covid-19 infection like myself, you can still get a re-infection. It may turn out to be more severe than the first one. This is why being vaccinated prepares your body to fight off future infections.

With regards to Covid-19 vaccination being a must, I sure do not think so. One must not be forced or coerced into receiving any form of treatment. The Right to Refuse treatment is enshrined in the Bill of Patient’s rights. Any further action is fully dependent on the sovereign government of any country or state.

But I have Covid-19 infection at the moment!

Then you will not get vaccinated. You need to complete your isolation period until you are well again. Take some time as advised by the ministry of health before getting the vaccine.

Who will get it?

The ministry of health has bowled out a comprehensive program about who can get it and who cannot. The instructions from the manufacturer, however, recommend getting two jabs of the vaccine. The period between each shot is currently 8 weeks.

Will we need to keep receiving these vaccines?

Believe me I wish I had a straight answer to this question. We are still trying to find out how long the immunity the vaccine confers will last and whether it will need booster doses like the Flu vaccine.

So why must I wear a mask and practice Physical distancing, yet I am Vaccinated?

It takes about two weeks for the first dose of the vaccine to trigger a meaningful immune response in your body. During this time, you can easily contract and spread the Covid-19 virus to colleagues and strangers alike.  Hang in there *wink*

It is my sincere hope that this loose explanation sheds some light on the vaccine and what to expect. Should you come across more information, please synthesise it.  Allow yourself to admit that you do not have all the answers just like I have admitted to you. Please give new knowledge a chance to take root in you. That is the nub of growth…learning and unlearning.

This blogpost will be updated as more information becomes available.