Njue opposes tetanus drive by ministry
John Cardinal Njue. In a statement signed by 26 Catholic bishops, KCCB chairman John Cardinal Njue said the “rising political temperatures is not healthy for the nation”. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
- Vaccination fishy as only pregnant women are targeted, says Cardinal
The Catholic Church has opposed a campaign to vaccinate pregnant women against tetanus.
John Cardinal Njue questioned why the government was administering the vaccine only to pregnant mothers, arguing that there was “something fishy about it.”
“What is the rationale of a tetanus vaccine for women only?” asked the cardinal.
He asked worshippers to be on the lookout and scrutinise the vaccine.
Family planning
Cardinal Njue, who was speaking after Mass in Nyeri, pledged to take up the matter with the government.
He did not disclose why he was opposed to the vaccine, but some worshippers fear that it could be a family planning campaign disguised as a vaccination campaign.
But Nyeri public health officer Samuel Muthenji defended the campaign, arguing that the drug administered was a genuine tetanus vaccine.
Dr Muthenji said critics of the government always started rumours and propaganda whenever there were new health initiatives.
“Even the polio vaccine was faced with propaganda that it could be a family planning method. The campaign against tetanus has been going on for some time. Why have the fears started now?” asked Dr Muthenji.
He clarified that the tetanus campaign was taking place in select counties.
Pregnant mothers will be vaccinated with the same drug administered to those hurt by metallic items, the public health officer added.
