State to immunise 20 million kids against measles, typhoid

The Ministry of Health is gearing up for a nationwide vaccination drive against measles-rubella and typhoid in all counties.

The initiative targets to immunise 7.5 million children aged between nine months and five years with the measles-rubella vaccine and 19.2 million aged nine months to 14 years with the typhoid conjugate vaccine.

Counties are already preparing for the vaccination drive set to run from July 4 to 13.

Uasin Gishu government officials said they are collaborating with the Ministry of Health to successfully carry out the exercise.

Speaking during the trainers of trainers training and microplanning meeting for the subcounty teams, director of health services Evans Kiprotich said they are training staff on how the drive will be carried out.

“Typhoid remains a serious public health threat, especially for children under 15, and even more so for those under five and with rising antimicrobial resistance and poor water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, this vaccine is not just timely, it’s essential,” he said.

Kiprotich said with health being a devolved function, they will engage all resources and manpower possible to ensure the twin vaccination exercise succeeds.

Kenya’s last nationwide measles-rubella campaign was conducted in 2016. Since then, more than 6.1 million children have become susceptible, raising the risk of outbreaks amid stagnating vaccine coverage currently at just 80 per cent for MR1 and 60 per cent for MR2 doses.

Kiprotich said the campaign aims to close that gap, increase immunity and break transmission chains.

With seroconversion rates after the first MR dose averaging only 85 per cent, experts emphasise the urgency of achieving and maintaining high coverage.

“This is a critical step towards protecting our children and preventing future outbreaks,” he said.

County EPI coordinator Joshua Masai is urging parents and caregivers to take their children for vaccination and support the drive towards a healthier, outbreak-free Kenya.

“We have adequately prepared to cover all children and we ask parents to ensure none of them is left behind,” he said.

Health officials in Trans Nzoia and Nandi said they are prepared for the vaccination exercise by training their healthcare staff.