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Polio: Parents asked to have children vaccinated

More than 380,000 children under the age of five are expected to receive the oral polio vaccine.

The county is among those at high risk of the disease.

Since the kick off of the exercise on Saturday, hundreds of children have received the vaccination.

County Health Executive Mungai Kabii said health officers were moving to schools, churches and from house to house to ensure all children receive the vaccine.

Dr Kabii asked parents to disregard objections from some religious leaders and avail their children for vaccination leaders saying it is safe and effective.

He said the vaccine had undergone rigorous quality control testing procedures by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board that is mandated to ensure quality, safety and efficacy of all medical products in the country.

"The vaccination teams are moving from house to house to ensure all children are safe from contracting the disease that kills and causes disabilities. Parents should avoid rumours and ensure their children are healthy," he said.

He said the five-day exercise will not be threatened by resistance from a section of religions leaders from the Kavonikia, Kanitha wa Ngai, Yeso Nyalo and Dini ya Yesu churches.

The Catholic Church has also been in forefront opposing the vaccination, questioning its safety.

"The county will not allow a section of communities, religions and individuals to affect the smooth operation of the exercise. Anybody found opposing will be arrested and charged for endangering the health of our future generation," he said.

CHILD DISABILITY

Speaking during the national launch of the vaccination in Gilgil last Saturday, Polio Immunization Goodwill Ambassador Harold Kipchumba regretted the position taken by religious leaders saying the disease kills and causes disability among children.

"As a mother, be kind to your children and give them an opportunity to live a better life away from diseases," Mr Kipchumba said.

"As one who has difficulties and a lot of challenges due to my disability caused by failure to receive vaccination, I imagine that if I had the responsibility to choose my condition, I eould not choose to do anything that affects the health of anybody. Let us stop rumours," he said.

Gilgil MP Samuel Mathenge called on the Catholic leaders lead by their head John Cardinal Njue to report any issues related with the vaccine to the director of Medical Services and avoid rumours and alarming statements.

Mr Mathenge asked the Church to use the correct platform when raising health-related issues.

He observed that alarming statements have many negatives and make people lose trust in all immunisation.

"The Church is a respected institution, therefore, it should use the right forum to channel any issues in relation to health. Polio kills, and immunisation is the only safe way to prevent infection of various diseases," said Mathenge.

The Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) have dismissed the allegations being fronted by the religious leaders that the vaccination is not safe.

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