Comprehensive Study validates safety of COVID-19 vaccines in Kenya

KENYA — The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has released findings from its COVID-19 Cohort Event Monitoring Study, confirming the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines used in the country.

The study, conducted from February to November 2023 in collaboration with the National Vaccines and Immunization Program (NVIP) and CIHEB-Kenya, covered 17 healthcare facilities in 15 counties.

These facilities, both public and private, served a diverse population, ultimately surveying 9,238 individuals. 

Women represented the majority of respondents, reflecting a higher willingness among them to receive the vaccine.

The study largely focused on Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines because they were the only ones available throughout the study period.

It attempted to analyse the occurrence, type, severity, and predictors of adverse effects after vaccination.

Speaking during the presentation of the study’s findings in Nairobi, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed, Director of Health Products and Technologies at PPB, highlighted that the results reaffirmed the safety of the vaccines.

According to Dr. Mohammed, most side effects reported—such as headaches, fever, pain at the injection site, and dizziness—were mild to moderate, with symptoms typically resolving within 48 hours. He reassured the public that the vaccines administered were indeed safe.

Furthermore, Dr. Mohammed emphasized the importance of vaccines as critical tools in the fight against COVID-19. He called for enhanced surveillance of other medical products, not just COVID-19 vaccines, to maintain public safety.

 The study also provided insights into Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI), with findings showing that side effects were more common after the first dose, particularly among older individuals.

Factors such as age, vaccine type, and pre-existing health conditions were significant in predicting the likelihood of experiencing side effects.

Kenya’s participation in the African Union Smart Surveillance (AU-3S) program, including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia, added credibility to the study.

This initiative, which focuses on improving medical product safety surveillance across Africa, particularly for COVID-19 vaccines, found no new safety concerns.

The data from Kenya aligned with global vaccine safety assessments, further validating the study’s conclusions.

In addition to Dr. Mohammed’s remarks, Dr. Bramuel Tongola, a regulatory officer at PPB, stressed that the adverse events following immunisation were generally moderate and did not interfere with daily activities.

He noted that out of every 100 vaccinated individuals, around 32 reported minor side effects, with variations based on the specific vaccine.

“Our findings show that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks,” he said.

Dr Tongola acknowledged the ongoing challenges posed by the health crisis but expressed optimism regarding Kenya’s preparedness to handle them.

He urged the country to leverage existing systems for monitoring vaccines, especially with new vaccines like the Mpox vaccine now approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

He also emphasized the need for continued active surveillance and public education to ensure confidence in the safety of these vaccines.

Martha Mandale of PPB also pointed out the significant progress made in raising public awareness, which has improved vaccine uptake despite initial misinformation.

“We remain committed to countering any false information, including myths about the Mpox vaccine,” she said.

As of September 2023, Kenya had administered over 24.7 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 40% of the population having received at least one dose and 33% fully vaccinated.

These figures, reported by Our World in Data, highlight Kenya’s efforts to enhance vaccine access through both national campaigns and international partnerships.

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