The Ministry of Health has doubled down on its commitment to eradicating polio through an intensified vaccination campaign, following recent parental concerns about the vaccine’s safety. In a press statement dated November 9, 2024, Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, reassured the public of the polio vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, emphasizing its role in protecting children from this debilitating disease.
“Polio is a highly infectious and debilitating vaccine-preventable viral disease with the potential to cause paralysis and even death in a matter of hours among young children who are not fully vaccinated,” Dr. Amoth explained, highlighting the urgency of widespread immunization.
The Ministry clarified that while mild side effects might occur, “these often resolve quickly,” and parents should report any concerns through the national helpline *271# or at their nearest health facility. The statement also noted that investigations by the Kenya National Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee (KNVSAC) found that reported reactions were “coincidental and resolved over time,” assuring parents that health events around vaccination time are generally not caused by the vaccine itself.
The polio vaccination is part of Kenya’s routine immunization schedule, administered at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and 14 weeks. In response to the recent outbreak, the Ministry has launched an additional round of vaccinations for children aged 0-59 months, irrespective of previous immunization status. “All Kenyan children under the age of 5 years are expected to be up to date with childhood vaccines,” Dr. Amoth reiterated, urging parents to participate in the second round of the polio campaign from November 9 to November 13.
Reflecting on Kenya’s broader public health mission, Dr. Amoth stated, “The Ministry jointly with the global community has a vision to eradicate Polio, and we can only do this through achieving high vaccination coverage.” This campaign, he emphasized, aims to prevent future outbreaks and achieve the long-term goal of polio eradication across the nation.
