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March 18, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Kenyan Coastal Women Shun Tetanus Vaccination"

PANA Wire Service (allafrica.com) (03/16/02)

Poor turnout of women for tetanus vaccinations in Kenya's Coastal Province is being attributed in part to a rumor that the injections were laced with a contraceptive drug.  The campaign had hoped to reach 600,000 women, or 90 percent coverage; however, Coastal Province medical officer Dr. S. Shariff said there was a "lack of well-planned social mobilization strategy that permeates to the grassroots level."  Shariff also said that some clergy and religious leaders spread misconceptions and rumors that the injection was to prevent women from having children.  According to Shariff, the highest vaccination rate was 58 percent among women and girls of childbearing age in Taita Taveta, while the lowest turnout was in urban areas, including Mombasa district, where only 20 percent of the targeted women received vaccinations.  Shariff was optimistic that ongoing discussions with clergy members would result in the clearing up of any misunderstandings.  A second round of immunization is set for March 18 to March 23.

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