The Ministry of Health received reports of polio vaccine-related issues during the first phase of the vaccination campaign between October 2nd and 6th, 2024, targeting nine high-risk counties of Nairobi, Busia, Bungoma, Turkana, Transnzoia, West Pokot Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado.
Parents and caregivers who observed the peculiar aftermath of the polio vaccination process reported at least 23 cases to the Ministry of Health.
The Kenya National Vaccines Safety Advisory Committee (KNVSAC), upon review and investigation of the cases, found out that 16 of the 23 were reportedly experiencing itchy rash, fever, conjunctivitis, body rashes, abdominal pain, and diarrhea—subsequently classified as “non-serious.”
Seven of the reported cases were considered serious, “presenting with generalized red and sometimes itchy bumps in the skin and fever, weakness of the lower limbs, convulsions, diarrhea and vomiting, and herpes zoster.”
Following the analysis of both the serious and non-serious cases, the ministry noted that “16 of the reported cases had resolved, while five (5) are in the process of resolving.” The ministry reported two of the cases had a fatal ending.
Further investigation has revealed that 18 cases were a result of the underlying or emerging health-related issues, debunking the forethought allegations linked to the polio vaccine administration. However, four of the cases were classified as having occurred due to a vaccine reaction to the body, leading to rash and fever, while one has been classified as interdeminate due to inadequate information to determine the cause.
“Summarily, the majority of Adverse Events Following Immunology (AEFI) cases were classified as coincidental, indicating that most reactions were likely due to external or underlying factors rather than the vaccine itself,” the ministry of health clarified.
While defending the just-closed phase of polio vaccination, the Ministry has underscored the safety of the vaccines again, noting that more than 3.6 million children reached and successfully immunized.
The next phase of the immunization campaign is slated to begin from November 9th to 13th. The Ministry of Health has described polio as “a highly infectious and debilitating vaccine-prevevtable viral disease with the potential to cause paralysis in a matter of hours among young children who are not fully vaccinated and may even lead to death.”
To report any polio vaccine-related concern, parents or caregivers can report to the nearest licensed health facilities or through a mobile-based reporting platform by dialing *271* to report any case to the Mobile Pharmacovigilance Electronic Reporting System (mPvERS).
