Uasin Gishu is targeting to reach more than 667,000 children during the Ministry of Health's countrywide vaccination against measles-rubella and typhoid.
The exercise seeks to reach 7.5 million children aged between nine months and five years for measles and 19.2 million children aged between nine months and 14 years with the typhoid conjugate vaccine.
Uasin Gishu targets to vaccinate 430,017 children against typhoid and 137,127 against measles.
Director of health Evans Kiprotich and EPI coordinator Joshua Masai outlined the detailed plan for the exercise.
Subcounty health teams have been trained and equipped with key strategies to ensure effective coverage across all six subcounties.
“We have carried out the necessary training and equipped our staff with all that is required to ensure the campaign is successful," he said.
The national goal is to reach at least 95 per cent measles coverage and 80 per cent typhoid coverage.
Counties have finalised preparations for the massive exercise that will run between July 4 and 13.
Kiprotich said they are collaborating with the Ministry of Health to successfully carry out the exercise.
“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.
Kenya’s last nationwide measles campaign was conducted in 2016. Since then, more than 6.1 million children have become susceptible, raising the risk of outbreaks.
This is amid stagnating vaccine coverage currently at just 80 per cent for MR1 and 60 per cent for MR2 doses.
Kiprotich said the campaign seeks to close that gap, increase immunity and break transmission chains.
“This is a critical step towards protecting our children and preventing future outbreaks," the director said.
Masai urged parents and caregivers to take their children for vaccination and support the drive towards a healthier, outbreak-free Kenya.
“We have adequately sensitised residents and we ask parents to ensure none of the targeted children is left behind," he said.
Health officials in Trans Nzoia and Nandi also said they have prepared for the vaccination exercise by training their healthcare staff.
