Millions of children at risk of getting measles – Unicef

Millions of children are at risk of getting measles as cases continue to increase occasioned by new outbreaks in Kenya and neighbouring countries of Somalia and Ethiopia.

Unicef has warned that it is time for partners to take measles very seriously saying globally, cases increased by 79 per cent in the first two months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

According to Unicef, only 86 per cent of Kenya's children have received one measles rubella vaccine against the recommended WHO target of 95 per cent measles vaccine coverage.

“This means that nearly one in seven children in Kenya have not received their first dose. Only 58 per cent of Kenya’s children have received two doses of the measles rubella vaccine,” Unicef Kenya Ag representative Anselme Motcho said on Thursday.

“This means that nearly half of all children in Kenya have not received the second dose, which is needed to ensure long-lasting protection from measles.”

The stagnation in the vaccination has been blamed on the global disruptions in routine vaccination not only due to Covid-19 but also due to conflict, displacement, climate catastrophe and vaccine misinformation.

Motcho warned that severe complications due to measles can occur and are more likely to affect malnourished children and others with weakened immune systems, including pneumonia, blindness, encephalitis (or brain infection), paralysis and even death.

Unfortunately, this situation is made worse by drought since malnourished children have weak immune systems, leaving them more susceptible to diseases like measles and its severe complications, he said.

This comes even as the various health partners officially launched a 10-days vaccination drive against measles Rubella disease.

The campaign targets at least 1.2 million children aged nine to 59 months following an outbreak in Garissa, Mandera, Marsabit, Nairobi, Turkana and Wajir.

The seven targeted counties include Marsabit, Wajir, Garissa, Nairobi, Turkana, Mandera and West Pokot.

According to the ministry, vaccination will be administered in-fixed posts and temporary-fixed outreach posts supported by UNHCR, Gavi and UNICEF.

State Department for medical services PS Peter Tum has urged the public, parents and guardians to ensure their children receive an additional dose of Measles Rubella vaccine during the campaign so that they are protected against the disease and its serious effects.

“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, which affects mostly children and those below five years who are the most at risk of severe disease or even death. The vaccine will protect against Rubella disease which resembles measles,” Tum said.

Unicef said the unprecedented severity of the current drought is shown by the number of severely malnourished children admitted for treatment during the first quarter of 2022.

This, the agency said,  is 71 per cent higher than during the same period in 2021. 

“These are the children who are most at risk of severe complications from a measles outbreak and who must be first in line for the vaccination campaign, no matter how remote their villages may be,” Motcho said.

In the seven counties, children will be vaccinated through existing healthcare facilities such as health centres and hospitals, as well as other facilities such as schools and churches, and via mobile outreach teams.

In some hard-to-reach communities and areas with potential vaccine hesitancy, the vaccinating teams will conduct door-to-door campaigns while community health workers and local leaders will be engaged to identify and track missed children.