The Ministry of Health has reassured Kenyans of the safety and efficacy of the polio vaccine ahead of the second round of Polio vaccinations scheduled for 9th to 13th November. This reassurance follows reports of adverse effects experienced by 23 children who received the vaccine during the first round from 6th to 24th October, including two cases that resulted in death.
The vaccination campaign was targeted at high risk counties, Bungoma, Turkana, Nairobi, Busia, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot and Kiambu.
Due to these concerns an investigation was launched by were investigated by the Kenya National Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee ( KNVSAC) they reviewed all 23 reported cases,18 were reported as coincidental and had underlying causes, four cases were vaccine product related and one case was undetermined due to inadequate information.
Ahead of the new rounds of vaccinations, Director General for Health Patrick Amoth has assured the public on the safety of the vaccines and stressed on the importance of vaccinations and the dangers of Polio.
“All vaccines given by the Ministry of Health, including the polio vaccine, are safe and effective in protecting our children against vaccine preventable diseases. Vaccines are designed to stimulate an immune response in the body against infectious diseases, and this reaction inevitably carries a small attributable risk to the health of a minority of children. While mild side effects may occur, these often resolve quickly.”
Dr. Amoth stressed on the serious nature of Polio and the role of vaccines in eradicating the disease.
“Polio is a highly infectious and debilitating vaccine-preventable viral disease with the potential to cause paralysis and even death in a matter of hours among young children who are not fully vaccinated.” He said “The Ministry jointly with the global community has a vision to eradicate Polio, and we can only do this by through achieving high vaccination coverage against this debilitating disease. We continue to urge all parents, guardians, and caregivers to bring their children for routine immunization.”
Reports from the first round included of complaints of rashes, fever and diarrhea most of which did resolve independently.
Parents and caregivers with concerns are urged to report to the nearest health facility or make a report by dialing *271#
