Kenya to Buy COVID-19 Vaccine at Sh770 Per Dose

Kenya’s Health Ministry has agreed to buy a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine at $7.70 (about Sh770).

This is after the government signed an agreement with AstraZeneca for the distribution of 40 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Chief Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said the immunization process will be done in three phases, with the first one taking over six months.

“Phase one will involve vaccinating about 1.25 million Kenyans, and these Kenyans are the ones we call frontline workers. So it consists of healthcare workers, the army, police force, and our teachers,” she said.

The second phase will target 5.1 million Kenyans, who are prone to the disease, and another 5.2 million with chronic diseases.

Dr. Mwangangi further indicated that the cost they have set for the jab will be standard irrespective of the manufacturing company.

“We have actually been able to negotiate the price of 7.70. So seven dollars seventy cents for the cost of one vaccine dose. That’s about Sh770 if you use the exchange range of 110,” she added.

She added that the delay in the immunization process was due to supply chain challenges, but not a lack of funds.

Mwangangi pointed out that the Health Ministry has set aside Sh43 billion for the acquisition of vaccines.

“As we speak today, through the GAVI facility we already have secured Sh19.7 billion of these resources. Those are available. The remaining Sh23 billion will perhaps be secured through a World Bank credit line as well as exchequer financing for us to be able to cover that population,” she explained.