NAIROBI, Kenya- The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has released groundbreaking findings from the 2023 COVID-19 Cohort Event Monitoring Study, confirming the safety of COVID-19 vaccines administered across Kenya.
Conducted in collaboration with the National Vaccines and Immunization Program (NVIP) and CIHEB-Kenya, the study highlights that most side effects were mild or moderate, and typically resolved within 48 hours.
According to the study, the most commonly reported symptoms—headaches, injection site pain, fever, and dizziness—were brief and not severe.
While factors like age, vaccine type, and pre-existing health conditions could influence the likelihood of side effects, the vaccines are safe for the general population.
Dr. Ahmed Mohammed, Director of Health Products and Technologies at PPB, emphasized the importance of these findings.
“These results are pivotal in maintaining public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. By monitoring safety data in real-time, we’ve confirmed that the vaccines are not only effective but also safe,” Dr. Mohammed stated.
Kenya’s participation in the African Union Smart Safety Surveillance (AU-3S) program, alongside nations such as Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia, corroborated the findings.
The AU-3S program helps track vaccine safety across multiple countries, and Kenya’s data aligned with global reports that found no new safety concerns.
The PPB study serves as a vital tool in ensuring vaccine safety, particularly at a time when public health continues to depend on high vaccination rates.
As Kenya continues its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the PPB, in partnership with NVIP and CIHEB-Kenya, remains focused on ensuring the safe administration of vaccines.
The study’s findings are a reassurance that vaccines are not just a temporary fix but a crucial step in protecting public health.
With these results, Kenya can continue its vaccination campaign with renewed confidence, knowing that its population is well-protected and that the safety of these vaccines remains a top priority.
