Over the last few months, COVD vaccination campaigns have rolled out countrywide in various facilities.
We recently shared a list of all Ministry of Health vaccination centres countrywide
It is estimated that up to 900,00 Kenyans have already been vaccinated countrywide, which shows a great turn out and a willingness by Kenyan’s to protect themselves from this virus.
However, demand is not being met. There is a vaccine shortage as the country had only received slightly over 1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital and Nanyuki Cottage Hospital, where most of the residents within our landscape have gone for the jab, are currently experiencing the vaccine shortage as well.
This comes at a time when many tourism establishments are trying to resume “normal” operations. In addition many guests using our various tourism operators or visiting the various establishments and facilities require the staff attending to them to be vaccinated.
On the 21st of April this year. The Kenya National Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, launched a Tourism and Hospitality sector vaccination drive.
Tourism and Wildlife CS discussing the launch of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Vaccination Drive
The first phase of this drive targets up to 5000 frontline workers in the tourism and hospitality sector and will start in Nairobi County and later spread to the hospitality workers in the other 4 Counties (Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru). With sufficient vaccines, the immunization campaign will then eventually spread to the remaining 42 counties.
Though these efforts are commendable, the Association will continue with its lobbying efforts in the hope that our County government will prioritize the vaccination of our sector once the next doses arrive. Tourism is an essential part of the greater Laikipia economy, and the sector has suffered disproportionately from others. Tourism and the hospitality sector is a “frontline” service!!
We will also strive to ensure that our members in Nyeri, northern counties, and other areas are beneficiaries of the vaccination drive and we will continue to keep you updated on this program as it rolls out into our counties.
The Association will also provide updates once our local hospitals restock the vaccines, to ensure all members and related stakeholders in our sector get vaccinated.
Najib Balala, also hinted at people wanting to travel overseas requiring vaccine passports to travel. This is however expected to commence in 2022 as the ministry is still in consultations with International Air Transport Association (IATA), to create the passports.
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