The World Health Organization (WHO) has made an appeal to the catholic church in Kenya to stop discouraging its members from taking the polio vaccine.
The organization insisted that the vaccine, contrary to the fears expressed by the church, is indeed safe.
The catholic church had urged Kenyans to boycott a mass polio vaccination campaign for the unless the safety of the vaccine has been confirmed through scientific tests.
The church leadership cited that the vaccine provided to other countries by UNICEF and WHO had been found to contain harmful.
See: Why the Catholic Church and Health Ministry are Clashing Over Polio Vaccination
The first phase of the campaign is scheduled for 1st-5th of August in 32 counties and the second phase from 29th August to 2nd September in 11 counties.
Speaking to The Standard, WHO country representative DR Custodia Mandlhate said that the vaccine set to be used during the campaign is the same one used in all hospitals, including those under the Catholic church.
The Kenya Medical Association has expressed concerns that the call by the church may have adverse effects on children who need the vaccine.
The Ministry of Health has however maintained that the exercise will be carried out.
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