The Ministry of Health has allayed parents' fears over the side effects witnessed in children during the just-concluded polio vaccine campaign.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 17 by CS Deborah Mulongo, the ministry acknowledged that some children have experienced some side effects after taking the vaccine.
However, she maintained that there was nothing unusual for children to react to the vaccine.
Therefore, she assured parents and caregivers in the counties where the campaign was done that the vaccine was safe.
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"All vaccines offered by the Ministry of Health are tested, safe, effective and approved by the World Health Organization," the CS stated.
"Additionally, the vaccines are administered by trained Health Care Workers and all medical supplies and commodities including
vaccines that are used in the country have undergone rigorous quality control testing procedures by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
The exercise conducted at the beginning of this month caused some side effects, including rashes, vomiting, and muscle pain.
"During the recent polio campaign, the Ministry of Health received few reports indicating side effects in some children. Common side effects may include rash, fever, irritability, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhoea, headaches, or muscle pain," read the statement in part.
The campaign was undertaken in some counties following the outbreak of polio in Uganda.
Some of the counties where children were vaccinated include Busia, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado.
According to data from the Ministry over 3 million children were vaccinated.
