KENYA: KCCB Oppose tetanus vaccination campaign by the government
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| Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru, Bishop of Embu and Chairman of Catholic Health Commission |
The Kenya Conference
of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has strongly opposed the upcoming tetanus
vaccination campaign by the Kenyan Government, which is scheduled for 13th
– 19th October 2014 terming it a contraceptive drive in disguise and
called on Kenyans not to participate in the exercise until the Government came
out clearly about the vaccination.
of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has strongly opposed the upcoming tetanus
vaccination campaign by the Kenyan Government, which is scheduled for 13th
– 19th October 2014 terming it a contraceptive drive in disguise and
called on Kenyans not to participate in the exercise until the Government came
out clearly about the vaccination.
A statement
issued to the press by the Catholic Health Commission of Kenya says that Tetanus
Toxoid vaccine (TT) laced with Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (b-HCG) sub
unit has previously been used in Philippines, Nicaragua and Mexico to vaccinate
women against future pregnancy.
issued to the press by the Catholic Health Commission of Kenya says that Tetanus
Toxoid vaccine (TT) laced with Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (b-HCG) sub
unit has previously been used in Philippines, Nicaragua and Mexico to vaccinate
women against future pregnancy.
Early this
year, the Catholic Church had expressed opposition towards the same vaccination
campaign which targets women between the age of 14 and 49 years.
year, the Catholic Church had expressed opposition towards the same vaccination
campaign which targets women between the age of 14 and 49 years.
Although the
Kenya Government through Health Cabinet Secretary Mr. James Macharia has declared
that the tetanus vaccination drive will be rolled out as planned, the Catholic
Health Commission through the statement says that they are still keen on having
the Ministry of Health give Kenyans adequate responses to some key pertinent
questions such as: Is there a tetanus crisis in Kenya and if so, why has it not
been declared?
Kenya Government through Health Cabinet Secretary Mr. James Macharia has declared
that the tetanus vaccination drive will be rolled out as planned, the Catholic
Health Commission through the statement says that they are still keen on having
the Ministry of Health give Kenyans adequate responses to some key pertinent
questions such as: Is there a tetanus crisis in Kenya and if so, why has it not
been declared?
Other
questions that the commission wants the government to answer include the reason
why the campaign target women of 14 – 49years and why it has left out young
girls, boys and men even if they are all prone to tetanus. At the same time the
commission is seeking clarification as to why tetanus has been prioritize in
the midst of so many life threatening diseases in Kenya.
questions that the commission wants the government to answer include the reason
why the campaign target women of 14 – 49years and why it has left out young
girls, boys and men even if they are all prone to tetanus. At the same time the
commission is seeking clarification as to why tetanus has been prioritize in
the midst of so many life threatening diseases in Kenya.
The Catholic
Health commission issued the statement on 8th October, 2014 during
their meeting with health facility managers from 24 Catholic Dioceses in Kenya
at St Patrick’s Pastoral Center, Kabula, in Bungoma Diocese. The meeting was
chaired by Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru; Bishop of Embu and Chairman, Catholic Health
Commission of Kenya – KCCB assisted by Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia; Bishop of
Nyahururu and Vice Chairman, of the same Commission.
Health commission issued the statement on 8th October, 2014 during
their meeting with health facility managers from 24 Catholic Dioceses in Kenya
at St Patrick’s Pastoral Center, Kabula, in Bungoma Diocese. The meeting was
chaired by Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru; Bishop of Embu and Chairman, Catholic Health
Commission of Kenya – KCCB assisted by Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia; Bishop of
Nyahururu and Vice Chairman, of the same Commission.
According to
the same statement the Catholic Church Church’s health Apostolate in the
country cannot be understated. “The Church has an extensive network of health
facilities that include 58 hospitals, 83 health centers, 311 dispensaries and
17 medical training institutions.”
the same statement the Catholic Church Church’s health Apostolate in the
country cannot be understated. “The Church has an extensive network of health
facilities that include 58 hospitals, 83 health centers, 311 dispensaries and
17 medical training institutions.”
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
