Njue not against tetanus vaccine: Minister
What you need to know:
- The vaccination started last Friday and ends today. Sixty high-risk districts were targeted in Kilifi, Mombasa, Meru, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Kajiado and Narok counties.
Catholic John Cardinal Njue is not opposed to the tetanus vaccination but wanted a clarification, the Health minister has said.
Cabinet Secretary James Macharia Wednesday said his ministry held a meeting with officials from the Catholic Church after the cardinal earlier expressed concern over the drive.
“The cardinal was not opposed per se but wanted a clarification on why it was taking place. We have since met with his representatives and the issue has been resolved,” Mr Macharia noted.
The vaccination started last Friday and ends today. Sixty high-risk districts were targeted in Kilifi, Mombasa, Meru, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Kajiado and Narok counties.
Mr Macharia said the vaccination aimed at reach 2,098,605 women aged between 14 to 49 years, in the high-risk districts.
The campaign is part of a World Health Organisation aim at eliminating neonatal tetanus, a lethal disease associated with unclean deliveries.
He clarified that the target was not primarily pregnant women, but women of reproductive age as part of a global drive to eliminate neonatal tetanus.
