As concerns are raised about the aftermath reactions and deaths recorded during the first phase of the polio vaccine in Kenya by parents, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has refuted the claim alleging that the cause of two deaths did not emanate from the administered polio vaccine.
The MOH said that the result obtained by the Kenya National Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee (KNVSAC) after a prompt investigation was carried out indicated that the deaths were linked to other health conditions, describing it as “coincidental,” says a report.
However, alleging their death to underlying or emerging health conditions unrelated to the vaccine.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease with high chances of causing paralysis or even death when not treated urgently within hours, leaving children the most vulnerable victims if not fully vaccinated.
On Friday, after investigations were conducted on 23 reported cases, the health ministry described 16 cases as non-serious, highlighting their symptoms as itchy rash, fever, conjunctivitis, body rashes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and others.
More symptoms of 7 cases out of the 2 reported cases were itchy bumps in the skin and fever, weakness of the lower limbs, convulsions, diarrhea and vomiting, and herpes zoster.
This came shortly after the MOH, Kenya, announced the second phase of polio vaccination to have kickstarted from 9 November to 13 November, targeting nine prone areas under attack.
These critical areas include Busia, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado.
Assuring the Kenyans that the vaccine is effective and safe for use, the Health DG Patrick Amoth said the vaccines approved by the ministry are designed to stimulate immune response in the body against infectious diseases with little side effect.
“The two deaths are not related to polio at all. The vaccine is safe; it is tested; it undergoes a stringent regulatory process before the approval, and therefore the safety is assured, Amoth said.
In addressing this issue, Ezekiel Wafula, the NVSAC chairperson, said in line with the directives and standards outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), the committee individually investigated the reported cases, insisting that the two minors deaths were not caused by the administered polio vaccines.
He said, “As we examined all the evidence and looked at the stories carefully that had been brought to us, we didn’t find any direct relationship to the polio vaccine. To blame a vaccine, there are usually procedures and methods that are established to be able to confirm whether the vaccine is related or not.”
