The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has raised serious concerns about the Ministry of Health’s October 2024 polio vaccination campaign, particularly regarding the lack of informed consent from parents and guardians. The campaign, which aimed to vaccinate children in several counties, has faced scrutiny after two children tragically died following the administration of the polio vaccine. LSK President Faith Odhiambo has called for greater transparency and accountability from the Ministry of Health, highlighting significant gaps in communication and consent processes during the campaign.
The first round of the vaccination campaign took place between October 2 and 6, 2024, targeting children in nine counties: Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos, Turkana, West Pokot, Busia, Bungoma, and Trans-Nzoia. This effort followed confirmed cases of the poliovirus in areas like Kakuma (Turkana County), Kamukunji (Nairobi County), and Mbale (Uganda). The Ministry of Health reported vaccinating over 3.7 million children, achieving 95% of the target. However, it was only after the campaign, and the subsequent reports of adverse events, that the ministry provided clarifications regarding the nature of the vaccination exercise.
Odhiambo expressed concern that many parents and guardians were unaware of the purpose of the vaccination campaign and the specific need for their already-vaccinated children to receive an additional dose. She criticized the ministry for not communicating effectively with the public before the first round of the campaign, leaving many parents in the dark about the reasoning behind the exercise and the potential risks. According to LSK, this lack of clear communication violated basic principles of informed consent, a cornerstone of ethical medical practices.
One of the most troubling issues raised by LSK is that, in some cases, children were vaccinated without the knowledge or consent of their parents or guardians. Odhiambo stressed that it is legally and ethically unacceptable to administer vaccines to minors without obtaining consent from an adult with parental responsibility. She emphasized that informed consent must be sought before any vaccination or medical treatment, not only to uphold ethical standards but also to mitigate potential legal risks. Parents and guardians are often the best source of information regarding their children’s medical history and underlying health conditions, and their participation in healthcare decisions is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of their children.
LSK’s statement also called for the Ministry of Health to deploy only qualified and well-trained healthcare workers who can competently assess the medical history of the targeted population and determine their suitability for vaccination. Additionally, LSK urged the ministry to take swift action in addressing adverse events following immunization, ensuring that children who suffer from any negative effects receive prompt medical attention and that incidents are reported to the relevant authorities in a timely manner.
In response to these concerns, Director General for Health Patrick Amoth acknowledged the receipt of 23 reports of adverse events following the vaccination campaign. Of these, 16 were classified as non-serious, including symptoms such as itchy rashes, fever, conjunctivitis, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Seven cases were deemed serious, with symptoms ranging from fever and weakness in the lower limbs to convulsions, vomiting, and herpes zoster. While Amoth noted that most of the cases had either resolved or were in the process of resolving, LSK and many parents remain concerned about the potential long-term impact of these adverse events.
The controversy surrounding the polio vaccination campaign highlights a critical gap in the country’s vaccination process. While the importance of immunization in preventing polio outbreaks cannot be overstated, it is equally important that health campaigns be conducted with transparency, accountability, and respect for the rights of parents and guardians. As Kenya moves into the second round of the polio vaccination campaign from November 9 to 13, 2024, it is imperative that the Ministry of Health take immediate steps to address the concerns raised by LSK and ensure that the public is fully informed and actively involved in the decision-making process regarding the health of their children.
