The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has reaffirmed the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, citing findings from a comprehensive study conducted in 2023.
According to the board, the vaccines have been deemed safe, with most reported side effects being mild or moderate and lasting only up to 48 hours.
The board said the study, conducted in collaboration with the National Vaccines and Immunization Programme (NVIP) and CIHEB-Kenya, highlighted common side effects such as headaches, injection site pain, fever, and dizziness. These effects were found to be transient and resolved within two days in the majority of cases.
Factors such as age, the type of vaccine administered, and underlying health conditions were identified as influencing the likelihood of experiencing these side effects.
Kenya’s participation in the AU-3S program, alongside other African nations like Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia, further supported global data on vaccine safety, showing no new safety concerns.
Ahmed Mohammed, Director of Health Products and Technologies at PPB, emphasised the significance of these findings in reassuring the public about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccines for age groups
Earlier, the board also highlighted that older adults were more likely to experience adverse events following the first dose of the vaccine. These findings, according to the board, prompted recommendations to enhance active surveillance of adverse events across all health products and to increase public awareness regarding vaccine safety.
According to the PPB, individuals aged 36 to 50 had a 1.65 times greater risk of experiencing adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) compared to those aged 12 to 17.
The report also indicates that those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were 1.24 times more likely to have AEFIs than individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine with the gray cap. After considering other influencing factors, this group was still 1.14 times (95% CI: [1.04, 1.26]) more likely to experience AEFIs.
Additionally, individuals with chronic illnesses faced a 1.65 times higher risk of AEFIs compared to those without any chronic conditions, assuming other factors remained constant. After adjusting for these factors, the risk for this group remained 1.36 times higher.
Furthermore, participants who reported experiencing a health issue before vaccination were 1.68 times more likely to develop a new issue following vaccination.
In light of these findings, PPB said it continues to advocate for widespread vaccination against COVID-19, underscoring the importance of informed decision-making and public confidence in vaccination efforts.
The board encouraged individuals to consult healthcare providers for guidance and reassurance regarding vaccine safety.
