Polio vaccine safe, health ministry assures Kenyans

Health Director General addressing the media on Sunday, November 10, 2024. [Winfrey Owino, Standard]

The Ministry of Health has assured Kenyans of polio vaccine’s safety.

This comes hours after two children allegedly died from polio vaccine reactions.

In a statement on the ministry’s official X page, Health Director General Patrick Amoth says the vaccine is safe and protect the minors from preventable diseases.

“The Ministry of Health assures all vaccines, including the polio vaccine, are safe and effective in shielding our children from preventable diseases. Vaccines prompt the immune system to fight infections, and while mild side effects may happen, they usually resolve quickly. Caregivers can report concerns to the nearest health facility or dial *271#,” Dr Amoth says.

The ministry's Chair of National Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee Dr. Ezekiel Wafula said none of the patients had direct contact with the vaccine.

“These queries were brought to the committee. Which is a committee of very many experts with different experiences. We looked at every case carefully following all the rules set up scientifically by the WHO. And we did confirm in none of these children there was direct relationship or link with the polio vaccine.”

Further, Dr Amoth has reiterated that all children below five years must receive all immunizations.  

“In the event of an outbreak, the polio vaccine is given to all children 0-59 months irrespective of their previous vaccination status,” Amoth adds.

Following the death of minors, the Ministry of Health said that out of the 23 reported cases seven had severe reactions while 16 were mild.

The miinistry is conducting a second round of polio vaccination campaigns which began on Saturday, Nov 9 and will end on Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024, in 9 high-risk counties.