Two children dead, 10 admitted after measles vaccination in Marakwet

Two children died and 10 others were admitted after a measles vaccination in Marakwet East sub county on Tuesday.

Brian Kiptoo and Luciana Kemboi died after they were injected at Seisai area, Kapkondot sub location.

The 10 were admitted in critical condition at Chesongoch Mission Hospital.

Marakwet County Health executive Thomas Ruto confirmed the deaths and said samples were sent to the government chemist for testing.


"We have stopped the vaccination with immediate effect," Ruto told the Star on phone.

Vaccine and Immunization Services unit head Dr Ephantus Maree said he sent a pharmacovigilance team from Marakwet to investigate, immediately after receiving reports from the media.

"The information we have now is sketchy but we expect to get proper details once our team reaches the specific area, and give a proper report," he said.

"We have also contacted the health officials in the subcounty where it is said to have happened."

Pharmacovigilance involves monitoring the effects of medical drugs after they have been licensed for use, especially in order to identify and evaluate previously unreported adverse reactions.

The vaccines may have been administered by unqualified personnel, said MP Bowen Kangogo - it is that the children were attended to by Kabetwa dispensary staff.

“I wish to send my sincere condolences to the families who lost their children following an unprofessional vaccination exercise at mokoro location, Endo ward,” Bowen said.

He said in a statement that the incident indicates county governments lack the capacity to deliver health services.

“We saw children who got paralysed in Busia county after vaccination, now we are witnessing deaths in Elgeyo Marakwet. We don’t want further casualties in other areas," he said.

"This is more than enough evidence that county governments are not up to the task in handling the health function, which must be reverted back to the national government.”

Several children injected during the vaccination drive at various health centres in Endo area, Kerio Valley, have reportedly been recalled.

There are reports that at least 100 children have been vaccinated in the exercise that began on Monday.

At least 18 were paralysed following a vaccination in Akichelesit dispensary, Teso, in July.

The Star