Kenya’s began its COVID-19 vaccination program in late March. An estimated 806,000 people have been vaccinated to date. ThisNairobi collected testimonies from 4 people of different ages and genders who have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Vaccine Recipient #1
Age: 60
Gender: Male
Neighborhood: Embakasi South
Vaccination Center: Mater hospital, South B
” There was fantastic administrative support at the vaccination center. Healthcare administrators were courteous, supportive, and considerate. There was also continuous information dissemination every 15 minutes or so. Lines were large but calm, dignified, and even joyous. As far as side effects, I had fever and body pain for 48 hrs but resolved with Panadols and pain killer “
Vaccine Recipient #2
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Neighborhood: Kileleshwa
Vaccination Center: KMPDB (Hurlingham).
” Rumors that vaccines at this facility were being made available to everyone rather than being limited to certain groups led me to arrive early and hope for the best. The process started out very disorganized with lots of jostling and confusion but eventually, a sequence was established and the long wait began. I secured my jab 7 hours later. Side effects were three days of mild soreness in the left arm injection site was the only obvious side effect. No chills, fever, or aches but some diminished energy during exercise in the two days that followed “
Vaccine Recipient #3
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Neighborhood: Kileleshwa
Vaccination Center: Kenyatta Hospital
” I got the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Kenyatta National Hospital. For 2 days I had a fever, weakness and pain in my joints, a headache, and a running nose, which I managed using Panadol tablets. These side effects were a sign that my body was responding to the vaccine. I am back to normal and back to work “
Vaccine Recipient #4
Age: 29
Gender: Female
Neighbourhood: Kilimani
Vaccination Center: KMPDB (Hurlingham).
” When I took the vaccine, I didn’t feel any side effects on the day and even managed to go to the gym. The following day is when I started feeling very exhausted and generally weak “
For more on COVID-19 vaccines in Kenya, read Know Your Vaccine, ThisNairobi’s vaccine guide.
Do you have a vaccine testimonial? Email it to us at thisnairobi@gmail.com and we may feature it on our Instagram.
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