The Government has revealed that the two children who died and those who were adversely affected by the measles vaccination in Kerio Valley, Elgeyo-Marakwet , were vaccinated by a cleaner.
According to the Director of Medical Services, Dr Nicholas Muraguri, the cleaner had worked at the Kapetwa Health Centre for more than eight years.
“We understand he was employed by the local community and we are investigating who authorised him to administer the vaccine,” Dr Muraguri told the Nation.
In addition, the vaccines were stored in a domestic fridge, which was also used to keep laboratory reagents.
The Kenya Medical Services Director further noted that other than the domestic fridge not providing the correct temperatures, there was a possibility that the cleaner used the wrong chemical to mix the vaccine, which comes in powder form.
He further stated that the health centre did not have emergency care drugs that would have been administered to the children to reverse the reactions.
The Ministry of health averted speculations that the quantity of vaccine caused the unfortunate incident.
The two infants aged 9 months were on Tuesday confirmed dead, while at least 7 others were left in critical condition after receiving the vaccine.
The incident which happened amid an ongoing measles immunization campaign in the area saw the exercise called off immediately, as hundreds of parents rushed their children, who had been vaccinated for the same, back to hospital.
Meanwhile, the vaccines have been confiscated awaiting transportation to the Government Chemist for analysis.
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