Over 3.6 million children were vaccinated during Kenya’s recent polio vaccination campaign, which took place from October 2 to 6, 2024. The campaign, aimed at protecting children from the debilitating effects of polio, focused on nine high-risk counties. The Ministry of Health is now ensuring the public that the vaccines administered are generally safe, despite reports of a few post-vaccination events.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, the Director General of Health, addressed the public concerning the vaccination process, reassuring caregivers and parents that the vast majority of children who received the oral polio vaccine (OPV) remained healthy. He emphasized that the reported adverse events were rare and largely non-serious, reflecting the overall safety of the vaccination campaign.
During the campaign, 23 cases of post-vaccination adverse events were reported, primarily through health facilities and the mobile-based reporting platform *271#, which enables the public to report any concerns related to vaccination. These reports were carefully reviewed by the Kenya National Vaccines Safety Advisory Committee (KNVSAC), which met from October 23 to 24, 2024. Following their analysis, it was revealed that 16 of the 23 reported cases were non-serious and included symptoms like fever, body rashes, and abdominal pain. These events were not uncommon and are often observed in individuals after receiving vaccines.
The remaining seven cases were more serious, including symptoms like convulsions, weakness in the lower limbs, and diarrhea. However, investigations indicated that these serious cases were largely classified as coincidental, meaning they were related to underlying health conditions or external factors rather than the vaccine itself. Dr. Amoth stated that these findings were crucial in maintaining public confidence in the vaccination process.
Tragically, two of the reported cases resulted in death, prompting further investigation. However, the Ministry of Health assured the public that a thorough review of the cases showed that these were not caused directly by the vaccine. The timing of symptoms, pre-existing health conditions, and environmental factors were all taken into account during the investigation.
In light of the findings, Dr. Amoth reiterated the importance of distinguishing between coincidental health events and those directly linked to vaccines. Such assessments are vital to ensure the safety of immunization programs and to preserve the public’s trust in them.
As the country gears up for the second round of the polio vaccination campaign, scheduled for November 9 to 13, 2024, the Ministry of Health continues to emphasize the critical role of vaccination in preventing polio. Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to paralysis within hours and, in some cases, death, particularly in unvaccinated children. While there is no cure for polio, it is entirely preventable through vaccines, including both the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), administered in multiple doses during immunization campaigns.
Dr. Amoth urged all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are up to date with their childhood vaccines. He reminded the public that children under the age of five are routinely vaccinated against polio at birth, six weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks, as part of the national immunization schedule. The Ministry of Health’s vision, in partnership with the global community, is to eradicate polio once and for all, a goal that can only be achieved through high vaccination coverage.
The Ministry also emphasized that repeat doses of the polio vaccine are safe and will not harm children. Parents and caregivers were encouraged to continue cooperating with vaccination teams and to report any adverse events to health facilities or through the reporting platforms available. As Kenya moves forward with its second round of vaccinations, the goal remains clear: protect the nation’s children from the threat of polio and eliminate this devastating disease for good.
The health ministry’s commitment to safe and effective immunization remains unwavering, with the safety of children and public health as the top priorities. With continued cooperation from the public, Kenya is one step closer to becoming polio-free.
