Kenya Approves Administration of Coronavirus Vaccine Booster Shots

Kenya has approved the administration of Covid-19 vaccine booster shot for those who received their second shot at least six months ago, according to Ag Health Director Dr Patrick Amoth.

Dr Amoth said this was reached following advice from the Kenya National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (KENITAG).

The ministry in new guidelines also endorsed recommendations from the experts for mixing and matching of coronavirus vaccines for booster shots.

The updated guidance from the ministry relates to vaccination of various segments of the population including pregnant women, children, and those who have completed the primary series.

The ministry further said that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to children over 15 years old.

“The population that has been fully vaccinated should be offered an additional dose of either AstraZeneca vaccine, Moderna or Pfizer vaccines six months after the completion of the primary series. The same or different vaccine can be used for the additional dose,” said Dr Amoth.

“Individuals who have received the first dose of Moderna can receive AstraZeneca vaccine as the second, 28 days after the Moderna shot was administered.”

Consequently, if an adverse event occurs after Pfizer or Moderna administration, AstraZeneca should be provided 28 days after the initial dose.

Similarly, should serious adverse events occur after administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines should be provided as the second shot eight weeks after the initial shot.

“Pregnant women should be offered Pfizer or Moderna at any gestational age, at first Antenatal clinic (ANC) or at first contact with health services. Pregnant women who begun vaccination with other types of Covid-19 vaccines should complete vaccination using the same vaccine.”

Kenya uses the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

According to the Ministry’s latest update (Dec 26), Kenya has had 282,554 coronavirus infections, with 5,361 fatalities and 249,996 recoveries.

In terms of vaccination, “As of December 25th 2021, a total of 9,555,567 vaccines had so far been administered across the country. Of these, 5,628,082 were partially vaccinated while those fully vaccinated were 3,927,485,” the ministry said.