The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) is received by Archbishop John Cardinal Njue (centre) and Kitui Bishop Anthony Muheria on arrival for the Catholic Diocese of Kitui Golden Jubilee Celebrations. The church has opposed tetanus jab.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops' Health Commission has called on the Government to come clean on the ongoing tetanus vaccination campaign, claiming the vaccine has traces of substance that cause infertility.
The commission chairman Paul Njiru said their investigations had proved that the vaccine, in similar campaign carried out in March this year, had traces of Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (B-HCG) sub-unit.
"The results have confirmed our worst fears. When the HCG, necessary for pregnancy, is injected to a pregnant woman combined with tetanus toxoid vaccine, she develops antibodies against both," said Rev Njiru, adding a woman then becomes incapable of sustaining a pregnancy, hence the vaccine becomes a permanent population control tool.
He said the current campaign draws a lot of doubt and suspicion due to lack of adequate stakeholder engagement for consultation, both in the preparation and participation in the campaign.
"The Catholic Church has been involved previously and continues to support all clean and well-intended vaccinations programmes. What is the Ministry of Health hiding this time round?" He questioned.
But last week while announcing the Government would roll out the vaccination, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the ministry has had several meetings with the bishops and "we have explained the science behind targeting women".
Macharia insisted it was clear there was no danger, adding this was not the first opposition to such drives.
But speaking yesterday at a press briefing in Nairobi, Njiru added there has been limited or lack of public awareness unlike in other related campaigns like polio vaccination.
High technology
The drive, which kicked off on Monday, has elicited deep concern from the bishops who now want the Government to take control of the issue and look at the facts before subjecting more women and children to the vaccine.
"While Kenya boasts of high technological advancement in medicine, the ministry has left the safety of vaccines and the health security of Kenyans to the World Health Organisation. This body has since the 1970's been undertaking studies on birth control and has a history of supporting campaigns of tetanus laced with Beta HCG in Latin America," said Njiru. He was accompanied by the commission vice chairman Rev Joseph Mbatia and Dr Stephen Karanja of St Michaels Medical Care.
join