COVID Vaccines

The vaccines for COVID prepare your body for future infections.

Like other vaccines, these do not cure COVID. You must take them before getting infected.

The vaccines work by preparing your own immune system. They help your body’s natural defence mechanisms recognise and fight the actual virus, if you get infected later on.

Most people get two doses of their vaccine, with a gap of a few months in-between.

You may get some mild side effects (soreness, headaches, fever) which are very normal. This is a good sign your immune system is getting ready.

After vaccination, you are still advised to use a mask in public, and to avoid large crowds. You can still catch COVID even when you are vaccinated. This vaccine protects you against the worst of the disease, but you could still spread the virus to other people you care about.

Which vaccine is best?

All the vaccines now available in Kenya are very safe, and effective against COVID. We recommend you get vaccinated as soon as you can, with any available vaccine, and wherever this is easiest.

(The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is prioritised for vulnerable groups and nomadic communities, so will not be available to others.)

I already had COVID.
Do I have natural immunity?

There is much confusion about natural and 'herd' immunity.

The medical evidence is natural immunity seems quite low after infections, and may not last long. Vaccines still improve protection a lot, even for people who already had COVID.

COVID is a new disease, and scientists are still monitoring its effects carefully. Currently the best advice is to get vaccinated.

Extra Resources

How Immunity Generated from COVID-19 Vaccines Differs from an Infection
NIH - USA (June 2021)
Coronavirus reinfection: How long might 'natural immunity' last?
Medical News Today (Oct 2021)
“Natural immunity” versus the vaccine for COVID-19
Science Based Medicine (Oct 2021)

Extra Resources

What should I expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
CDC - USA (Oct 2021)
Bust Common Myths and Learn the Facts
CDC - USA (Oct 2021)