Over 350,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses arrive in Kenya, donated by Denmark
Vaccines to help provide second doses for health workers, teachers and other essential workers.
Nairobi, 21 June 2021 – This evening around 9:35pm, 358,700 doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in Nairobi. The vaccines were donated by the Government of Denmark and transported by UNICEF. The flight was met at the airport by senior Kenya Government officials led by Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache, Danish Ambassador to Kenya Ole Thonke, UNICEF Representative to Kenya Maniza Zaman and WHO Representative to Kenya Dr Rudi Eggers.
“The Government of Kenya is very grateful to Denmark for this generous donation, which will support the further roll out of our national COVID-19 vaccination programme,” PS Susan Mochache said. “This comes at a critical time when we have embarked on vaccinating our people for the second dose. It will ensure our health workers and other persons playing a critical role in our country are protected, and that hospitals and health centres across Kenya will be able to continue providing the much-needed care to people affected by COVID-19,” she added.
“International solidarity is so important during this global pandemic” Danish ambassador, Ole Thonke said. “I am very proud that it has been possible for Denmark to make this donation. Kenya is in a difficult situation as they have received fewer vaccines than expected, and it is my hope that the vaccines from Denmark can help fill the gap until more arrive. I also want to thank the government of Kenya, especially CS Foreign Affairs and both CS and PS Health for an excellent collaboration in making this happen.”
The roll out of the national vaccination campaign is being led by the Ministry of Health, with support from GAVI, WHO, UNICEF and other partners. The Ministry of Health recently announced the start of second doses for health workers, teachers, other essential workers and people aged over 58. As well as procuring and transporting vaccines, UNICEF is providing support to the Ministry of Health in the areas of planning, cold chain capacity, risk communication and community engagement.
“UNICEF is delighted to once again be supporting the Government of Kenya in procuring and transporting these vital COVID-19 vaccines. These will undoubtedly save lives, help keep health and other essential services running safely and support the recovery from the consequences of the pandemic,” UNICEF Representative to Kenya Maniza Zaman said. “We have to insist on vaccine equity and ensuring that everyone at risk from COVID-19 can get vaccinated, regardless of where they live. In high income countries, 68 people in 100 have been vaccinated, but in Africa only two people in 100 have – we have to work to balance this equation.”
Photos and video
You can download photos and video of the vaccines arriving in Kenya here: https://bit.ly/3cYms9e
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About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. For more information about COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus . Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on immunization here.
