Woman links baby’s death to polio vaccine

An infant in Limuru has died after being vaccinated against polio twice in less than four days.

Two-week-old Sarah Wangechi’s mother Ann Wanjiru said the child developed complications as soon as the vaccine was administered.

“She didn’t show any sign of sickness before she was given the vaccine,” Ms Wanjiru said.

She added that her daughter got the first dose on Friday at Limuru Nursing Home. Community health workers then visited her home on Monday and gave the baby another dose.

“They told me everything was okay even when I asked why the vaccine was being administered in quick succession,” she said.

After few hours, the baby began to vomit and died.

Kiambu Heath Executive Jonah Mwangi said a post-mortem examination would establish the cause of the death.

The vaccination targets 8.7 million children countrywide.

Meanwhile a three-year-old child was forcefully immunised at Muchungwa Village, Kirinyaga County on Wednesday.

The child’s mother took off with her when she saw health officers approach.

The officers gave a chase and caught up with the woman who is a member of a sect that does not believe in modern treatment.

“We get healed through prayers,” she shouted at the officers as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Health officer Rose Gichohi said no amount of resistance would stop the campaign. So far, four children have been forcefully immunised.

AGAINST MY BELIEFS
In Kilgoris, a religious leader and his wife were arrested for refusing to allow health officers administer the vaccine to their daughter.

Pastor Lucas Masaka Chacha, who has eight children, said vaccination was against his beliefs.

One of his children is paralysed. The wife is a local herbalist.
He read a pamphlet to the officers to drive home his point, leaving area Chief Jonathan Sialo, regional polio campaign coordinator Shadrack Beeru and other officials stunned.

“This is from the book Omega Point by Whitley Strieber. It tells us that Bill Gates has sponsored such campaigns for Sh10 billion to reduce population,” he said.
The pastor denied inciting the public against the vaccine.

Mr Beeru said the case was the first of its kind in Narok County.

“The law should take its course. This man is misleading residents. We have attempted to persuade some to allow us vaccinate their children in vain,” Mr Beeru said.

He added that it was mandatory for parents to support the campaign.

“Let us protect these young lives from harmful beliefs and diseases,” Mr Beeru said.

Mr Sialo said it was a crime to incite the public. “He incited Majengo Estate residents,” he said.

A secretary at Kilgoris Police Station where the two were taken told the crowd to embrace vaccination.

Mr Kepha Osiemo, who was attacked by polio at the age of three, said there was no problem with the vaccine.

“I don’t want to see children suffer. Allow the officers to vaccinate them,” he said.

Mr Osiemo said if his parents had taken him for vaccination, he would not be paralysed.

OFFICERS ACCOSTED

In Blue Valley Estate, Embu, the drive was temporarily stopped when a 40-year old man threatened to attack the officers.

The man hurriedly locked his children inside the house and emerged with a bow and arrow.

Public Health Officer Elizabeth Muthinja said the former askari with the defunct Embu Municipal council saw the officials administering the vaccine to a neighbour’s children and started gesturing rudely at them.

“The officers were shocked to see the man emerge with a bow and arrows threatening to shoot anyone who went near his house,” she said.

The officers fled and sought police assistance.

They later recorded a statement at Embu Police Station. The man was arrested.

The incident took place as health officials attempted to persuade members of Kavonokia sect to embrace the campaign.

County Health Director Philip Masaulo said most of the sect members resided in the lower parts of Mbeere North. He said the drive targeted 80,000 children.

Stories by Erick Wainaina, George Munene, Ruth Mbula and Charles Wanyoro