The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has released findings from the COVID-19 Cohort Event Monitoring Study carried out in 2023 in collaboration with the National Vaccines and Immunization Program (NVIP) and CIHEB-Kenya.
In an update on X on Wednesday, September 25, the Ministry of Health indicated that the study validates the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
The ministry observed that the majority of reported side effects included headaches, pain at the injection site, fever, and dizziness; however, these effects were generally mild and subsided within 48 hours.
Additionally, MoH indicated that variables such as age, the type of vaccine administered, and pre-existing health conditions played a role in the probability of experiencing side effects.
The ministry also affirmed that Kenya's involvement in the AU-3S program, alongside Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia, did not reveal any new safety concerns, thereby supporting the global evidence regarding vaccine safety.
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Concerns regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines have been prevalent, particularly regarding their rapid development and potential side effects.
While extensive clinical trials were conducted, some individuals remain apprehensive about adverse effects, which can include mild reactions like fatigue, as well as rare severe events such as anaphylaxis.
Despite these concerns, regulatory agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirm that the benefits of vaccination in preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweigh the risks.
Continuous monitoring of vaccine safety has shown that serious adverse reactions are extremely rare, reinforcing public health recommendations for vaccination.
