The Ministry of Health (MoH) has taken steps to dispel misconceptions surrounding the safety of the polio vaccines used in the ongoing immunization campaign. Concerns emerged after a recent vaccination drive from October 2 to October 6, which aimed to vaccinate 3 million children but resulted in the tragic loss of two young lives, igniting fears regarding the vaccine’s safety.
Patrick Amoth, the Director General of Health, revealed that the ministry had documented 23 reports of adverse events following the vaccinations during this period. In a statement issued on November 9, the MoH clarified that the Kenya National Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee (KNVSAC) thoroughly investigated these reports and concluded that
“the reactions were coincidental and resolved over time.”
The committee emphasized that health complications might naturally occur around the time of vaccination but are not necessarily attributable to the vaccines themselves.
The Ministry reaffirmed the vaccines’ safety, providing reassurance to parents that their children are indeed safe and that such unfortunate incidents are unlikely to recur. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to report any unusual health events to their nearest health facilities or through the shortcode *271#, particularly as the second phase of the polio vaccination campaign began on November 9 and will run until November 13.
In Kenya, it is vital for all children under the age of 5 to follow the prescribed vaccination schedule, which includes receiving polio vaccinations at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks.During a polio outbreak, the vaccine is administered to all children aged between 0 and 59 months, regardless of their prior vaccination history.
Polio remains a highly infectious viral disease, with the potential to cause paralysis and even death in unvaccinated young children. While there is no cure for polio, it can be effectively prevented through the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV).Through this vaccination campaign, the Ministry of Health aims to strengthen herd immunity against polio among children across Kenya, ensuring a healthier future for the nation’s youngest citizens.
