Kenya: Avoid tetanus vaccine at your own risk, WHO warns

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is encouraging mothers to continue taking the tetanus vaccine which it says is safe, contrary to claims made by the Catholic Church. WHO Director of Reproductive Health and Research Marleen Temmerman says extensive research has been done to prove that the drug is not laced with hCG, an antigen usually used in anti-fertility drugs. “We can only confirm that the tetanus vaccine is absolutely safe. It is not WHO that is importing the vaccine, the vaccine is manufactured by companies; what UN is doing is amongst other quality control but we can assure you that the vaccine is absolutely safe and it is free of hCG,” Temmerman confirmed. Temmerman urged pregnant women to continue with the vaccination program and not let the ongoing tussle over the contents of the drug deter them as tetanus was fatal especially if both mother and child were infected. “The tetanus jab has to...