Do not erode public confidence in vaccine

Under five years of age receive polio vaccine in the second phase of mass polio vaccination at Bus Station in Nairobi on July 19, 2021. [File, Standard]

A recent national polio vaccination exercise raised concerns after 23 children in eight counties developed complications while two died after they were vaccinated. At the time, 3.6 million children received the polio vaccine countrywide without any adverse effects.

An investigation by the Kenya National Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee (KNVSAC) termed the complications in the 23 children coincidental, saying that they were not related to the vaccine.

The council suggested that the affected children, including the ones who died, had underlying or emerging health conditions unrelated to the polio vaccine. Notably, the affected children developed itchy rash, fever, conjunctivitis, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The question is, which underlying conditions did the children have considering that the symptoms were similar? Why did symptoms emerge soon after the children received the polio vaccination? Did the vaccination worsen the children's conditions and if so should the vaccination be delayed for children with certain conditions?

We ask these questions because polio vaccines are not new in this country and we have never heard about such widespread complaints after a vaccination exercise. Kenyans generally consider the polio vaccine safe and that is why it is embraced across the country. It is therefore unsurprising that they were taken aback by reports of complications and even deaths after a vaccination exercise.

While the KNVSAC has done well to explain what could have led to those complications, it should respond to all questions adequately and carry out a campaign to reassure parents about the safety of the polio vaccines. Lack of public trust could cause a serious drawback in the polio vaccine campaign despite its immense health benefits.

Finally, the Health Ministry should also ensure that parents are present whenever their children are being vaccinated or are aware that they will be vaccinated. the importance of vaccines notwithstanding, it is not right for children to be vaccinated in school without the knowledge of parents. It would be nightmarish to learn about such vaccination after your child falls ill.