For over four decades, Professor Walter Jaoko has devoted his life to advancing scientific knowledge on the immune system and the critical role vaccines play in safeguarding individuals and communities. As the lead immunologist and director of the Kenya Aids Vaccine Initiative (KAVI) Institute of Clinical Research, his work centers around understanding how vaccines can be leveraged to prevent life-threatening diseases and improve global public health.
During the commemoration of Africa Vaccination Week in early April, Professor Jaoko highlights the importance of recognizing the strides made in immunization campaigns across the continent, while also acknowledging the work that remains to be done to save millions of lives. The global health community observes World Immunization Week every year to emphasize the life-saving power of vaccines, which have successfully prevented more than 20 life-threatening diseases according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These vaccines have greatly contributed to longer and healthier lives worldwide.
In Kenya, the National Vaccines and Immunisation Programme, established by the Ministry of Health in 1980, initially aimed to provide immunization against six major childhood diseases: tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and measles. Since its inception, the program has led to a significant reduction in preventable diseases like polio and maternal neonatal tetanus. It mandates that children under one year old receive up to five vaccinations, and it also provides vaccinations for women of childbearing age and girls aged 10, who receive the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
However, despite the successes of immunization campaigns, vaccine hesitancy remains a significant challenge, largely driven by misinformation. Professor Jaoko notes that unfounded myths, such as the idea that vaccines are laced with family planning agents or that they cause infertility, continue to hinder vaccine uptake. He also refutes the claim that vaccines cause autism, a misconception originating from a fraudulent study that was later retracted. According to Professor Jaoko, countering these myths through increased public awareness is essential for improving vaccine coverage.
He underscores that vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to build defenses against diseases. Unlike drugs, which treat existing infections, vaccines prepare the body to fight future infections. Once the immune system is primed, the vaccine is eliminated, leaving behind an immune response that continues to protect the body. While mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site or mild fever may occur, these are usually manageable and short-lived.
Professor Jaoko is particularly concerned about the low uptake of the HPV vaccine in Kenya, despite its proven efficacy in preventing cervical cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Kenyan women after breast cancer. In many European countries, the vaccine’s uptake is as high as 80 to 90 percent, but in Kenya, it remains below 30 percent. The challenge is exacerbated by misinformation spread by some religious leaders, who wrongly claim that the vaccine encourages sexual activity among young girls.
As a professor, medical microbiologist, and volunteer with Rotary International, Professor Jaoko remains focused on the practical impact of his work. He believes that engaging community leaders, including religious figures, is crucial in addressing vaccine hesitancy. By providing accurate information and addressing concerns directly, these leaders can become advocates for vaccination, helping to spread awareness and build trust in immunization programs.
Looking to the future, Professor Jaoko is optimistic about the potential for increased education and public engagement to boost vaccine uptake. He emphasizes the importance of ongoing communication strategies to counter misinformation, warning that allowing falsehoods to persist can have a lasting negative impact on public health. His lifelong mission is not driven by academic accolades but by the tangible impact of his work in saving lives and ensuring healthier communities.
