The Health
ministry
has launched polio vaccination campaign in 13 counties targeting more than 1.8 million children aged
below
five.
The vaccine drops will be administered in West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Narok, Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Mandera, Wajir, Grissa, Tana River and Lamu counties. National director of medical services Jackson Kioko yesterday said the campaign will ensure all children in most high-risk counties are protected against the disease.
“The current continuous campaigns across the country help us to remain on course in eradicating polio by 2018,” he said. Speaking during the campaign’s launch in Kapenguria town, Kioko said the ministry will conduct doorto- door campaigns.
He assured parents the vaccine is safe and has been tested by the national quality control laboratory. Kioko asked parents and guardians to ensure their children are vaccinated. “The vaccine that will be used is the same one used in our routine immunisation programmes in all public, private and faith-based health facilities,” he said.
Kioko said West Pokot’s full child immunization coverage has declined from 77 per cent in 2012-13 to 56 per cent in 2014-15. He said in 2013, Garissa county lost two children and 14 others were paralysed by polio.
The director said the ministry will partner with all county governments and stakeholders to ensure the right structures are put in place so all children are reached for the vaccination.