Irene Githinji and KNA

About 50 per cent of teachers have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 despite being among priority groups.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe says only about 121,000 teachers (47 per cent) are now fully vaccinated.

“We must continue to prioritise these groups and have them vaccinated as quickly as possible,” said Kagwe.

He appealed to Kenyans to present themselves at the nearest vaccination centre where they will get the jab free of charge.

He made the remarks in a statement read on his behalf by Principal Secretary Susan Mochache when she received a consignment of Moderna vaccine from the United States.

The Teachers Service Commission has, however, said there has been an improvement in the uptake of vaccines among teachers.

“Teachers who are yet to be vaccinated are encouraged to take advantage of the ongoing step up campaign for vaccination,” said TSC in a statement yesterday.

Last Monday, TSC Secretary Nancy Macharia issued a seven-day ultimatum to public and private school teachers to get the full dose of the vaccine.

Ministry of Health data indicate that by the beginning of last week, only 110,342 teachers had received full dose while 178,734 had received only the first jab.

However, the step up campaign launched last week has seen more teachers taking the vaccine.

Last month, the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua accused some public servants of deliberately refusing to get vaccinated so that they can stay at home.

“Those who will not have been given the first jab by August 23 be treated as discipline cases and appropriate action taken against them,” he added.

Elsewhere, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Teso branch Executive Secretary Olakachuna Omuse and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Busia branch Executive Secretary Moffat Okisai urged teachers to go for the jab.