The Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced that it is currently investigating complaints raised by concerned citizens regarding the recent polio vaccination campaign that concluded on October 6, 2024.
The initiative aimed to combat a resurgence of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) in the country, which has prompted public anxiety over the vaccine’s safety and side effects.
In response to unverified reports circulating on social media, the MoH has urged Kenyans to refrain from spreading rumors and misinformation as investigations are underway. “Formal statements will be issued in due course,” the ministry said in an official release.
The nationwide campaign targeted approximately 3.8 million children under the age of five across nine high-risk counties, including Nairobi, Busia, Bungoma, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado.
This urgent vaccination effort was initiated following the confirmation of five polio cases in 2024, predominantly affecting children in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County, along with one positive environmental surveillance sample in Kamukunji Subcounty, Nairobi.
During a media stakeholders’ briefing on October 3, 2024, Public Health and Professional Standards Permanent Secretary Mary Muriuki reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating polio in the country.
“We are dedicated to ensuring the safety and health of our children,” Muriuki stated, assuring the public that the vaccines used in the campaign meet safety standards.
Polio, officially known as poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily impacts nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain stem, leading to potential paralysis, respiratory issues, and even death, according to the Mayo Clinic.
