Kenya expects to begin its COVID-19 vaccination drive later this month after is receives its first batch of the shots, in efforts to contain further spread of the virus.

The ministry of health revealed on Tuesday that the vaccination drive would be divided into three phases, with priority given to high-risk groups.

The first phase is expected to begin at the end of February and last until June. This will target 1.25 million people comprising of frontline healthcare workers and all staff working in health facilities both in public and private sectors. Also prioritized are workers undertaking essential services in priority sectors like security and immigration.

The second phase will begin in July and last until June 2022 and will aim to inoculate 9.7 million more Kenyans. This phase will target persons above 50 years of age and those above 18 years of age with underlying health conditions.

The ministry revealed that the third phase will run concurrently with the second depending on the availability of vaccines. This phase will target 4.9 million people encompassing all other vulnerable populations like those in congregate settings such as prisoners, refugees and the elderly.

The ministry reiterated that the vaccines that will be acquired will have undergone trials and found to be safe for use as per the international standards.

By Friday, Kenya had reported 102,613 COVID-19 cases with 1,794 deaths.

Various government-imposed measures remain in place in efforts to contain the virus, including a ban on large public gatherings, the mandatory wearing of face masks and a nationwide nighttime curfew.