Religious leaders on Wednesday joined the Health ministry’s vaccination campaign by allowing places of worship to host the Covid-19 vaccine drives for the next three months.
The launch of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (ICRK) vaccination campaign at Ufungamano House in Nairobi aimed at clearing the air on myths surrounding the vaccines, assumed to be true by their flock.
The campaign will be undertaken jointly by the Health ministry, ICRK and Unicef.
With less than 22 days remaining to hit the government’s target of administering 10 million doses by the end of the year, the ICRK upholds that persuasion, rather than coercion should be embraced when asking people to get the jab.
The Health ministry and ICRK have mapped out 30 counties which will start the rollout of the vaccination drives in places of worship.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman, who was at the launch, said it is important for government to incorporate the ICRK as they are a voice of reason to their congregants.
“Religious leaders and local faith actors are universally recognised as influencers and because the disease is still with us, we should reach as many people to get vaccinated,” he said.
Dr Aman said that the government has so far acquired more than 20 million vaccine doses and only over 7 million have been used.
“We have about 13 million doses that have not been used. While we are receiving so many donations, most of those vaccines have a limited shelf life. If we don’t use them as early as possible, they will be wasted,” he added.
Responding to the persuasion versus coercion issue that was raised by Al Hajj Hassan Ole Naado, Chairman Supkem, in relation to the directive that the Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe said regarding having vaccine certificates so as to get any government service, Dr Aman said that persuasion is achievable.
“Persuasion is key and we should give it a chance. Since the measures have not been effected yet, we still have a chance to reverse that directive should more people show up for the jab. I don’t think we may take that route if many people get the jab,” he said.
Religious leaders in attendance quashed some of the myths fuelled by misinformation and disinformation mostly from anti-vaxxers who have penetrated social media platforms to sell their agenda.
“I got vaccinated because science and faith are complimentary and they work together for humanity,” said Bishop John Warari
“Getting the vaccine is putting into practice five key areas of the Sharia laws and being vaccinated will help one uphold and put into practice acts of worship. You cannot go to Mecca if you are unvaccinated. Vaccination speaks at the heart of our religion,” Supkem’s Al Hajj Hassan said.
Mr Hassan added that in Islam, the mantra “do not harm yourself, do not harm others” is key in making a decision on whether to be vaccinated or not.
The Supkem chairman insisted that Covid-19 is by far a costly disease and to prevent any severe infection, vaccination is the way to go.
Unicef Country Director Maniza Zaman said that no matter what one’s faith is, all share a common belief and that using religious leaders as people of influence will help in saving many lives.
