Polio vaccination campaign begins amid opposition

Polio vaccination campaign begins amid opposition

The Polio vaccination exercise has received mixed reactions even as the exercise enters its second day on Sunday.

Health Principal Secretary Khadijah Kassachoon slammed the Catholic Church for opposing the polio vaccination exercise saying that the government will not be drawn into innuendos propelled against the campaign.

Speaking at Gilgil, Nakuru County on Saturday during the official launch of a five-day national polio vaccination campaign,  Kassachoon indicated that they will engage the Church if they raise professional queries about the vaccination.

The PS assured parents, guardians and all Kenyans that the vaccines used during polio vaccination campaigns are safe and effective.

Kassachoon’s sentiments were echoed by World Health Organization (WHO) representative to Kenya,  Dr Custodia Mandlhate  who stated that the controversy surrounding the safety of vaccines was uncalled for and those opposing the vaccine were reversing the achievements of immunization in the country.

Mandlhate stressed that all vaccines used in Kenya, whether in routine immunization or in mass immunization campaigns, are WHO qualified and are safe and effective.

She added that all vaccines, polio and tetanus, supplied through UN agencies like UNICEF meet international standards of safety and quality as all vaccines must undergo rigorous quality control testing procedures by the pharmacy and poisons board, which is legally mandated to ensure quality, safety and efficacy of all medical products in Kenya.

The Catholic Church has been opposing the vaccination saying that it could cause infertility and may have family planning elements.

In an unexpected turn of events, the Ministry of Health pitched tent at St Joseph Milimani Catholic Church in Kisumu on Sunday where parents took their children to receive the polio vaccine.

According to Esther, a nurse, they had vaccinated 60 children by the third church service on Sunday.

Elsewhere in Migori, Public health officers administering polio vaccine in Migori County were faced with opposition from some members of the public who have raised queries about vaccine following the Catholic Church’s opposition of the vaccination exercise.

Migori County deputy public health officer, Dr Kennedy Ombogo, said that some of their officers were on Sunday denied an opportunity to administer the vaccine to various church congregations.

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polio vaccination catholic church stand on vaccination

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