The Ministry of Health has disclosed that it has received unconfirmed reports of adverse effects in children following the recent polio vaccination drive.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 10, the ministry confirmed that investigations are underway to verify the claims.
"The Ministry of Health has received unverified reports regarding adverse events arising from the recent polio vaccination campaign. Investigations are ongoing, and a formal statement will be issued in due course," read part of the statement.
At the same time, the ministry urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and to await the official report on the matter.
"We discourage members of the public from spreading rumors and misinformation until the Ministry issues official information on this matter. Additional information on the polio vaccination campaign can be accessed from https://health.go.ke. For inquiries, please call 719," MoH stated.
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The government launched the polio vaccination on October 2, and the exercise continued up to October 6.
The exercise was rolled out in high-risk counties that included Nairobi, Kajiado, Busia, West Pokot, Bungoma, Kiambu among others.
"The 5-day vaccination campaign against polio will focus on 9 high-risk counties: Busia, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot and Turkana, Nairobi, Kiambu (Kabete, Kikuyu, Kiambaa, Kiambu town, Juja, Ruiru and Thika), Kajiado (Kajiado east and north in Kajiado) and Machakos (Matungulu, Kangundo and Mavoko)," the ministry stated on October 3.
The polio vaccine is typically given to children under the age of five to protect them from polio, a viral disease that primarily affects young children.
