Post mortem results in measles vaccine deaths to be released

The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret is expected to release the post-mortem results for two children, aged nine months, who died after receiving measles immunization in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

The hospital’s director John Kibosia, Elgeyo-Marakwet county health executive and family members, are among those who witnessed the post-mortem exercise.

The health worker from Kabetwa Health Centre who administered the vaccine, has already been arrested over the incident.

Director of Medical Services, Dr. Nicholas Muraguri has assured members of the public that the vaccine being administered in the national immunization outreach programme, is safe for use.

On Tuesday evening, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos issued a directive to stop the vaccination exercise in the area following the demise of the two children.

Tolgos said he had ordered a cessation of all measles immunization exercises in the county and dispatched a medical team comprising the CEC Health, County Pharmacist, Director Public Health, Marakwet East Medical Officers and support health staff to the area to ascertain what could have gone wrong.

Tolgos exonerated his county government from blame saying the vaccine was procured from the division of vaccines and immunization which is under the Ministry of Health.

The Governor explained that all vaccines used by the county are sourced from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) which is a State Corporation under the Ministry of Health.

Tolgos said investigations that had commenced seeking to establish whether the problem was with the vaccines or the mode of administration. He called on the Ministry and KEMSA to join the investigations.

“A comprehensive report will be issued once we get to the bottom of what happened. For now, we join the families of those affected by this tragedy in mourning the deceased.”