Duale: 3.5m children have so far received measles-rubella vaccine

A healthcare worker marks the finger of a child with indelible ink after administering a vaccine during the ongoing Measles-Rubella and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) campaign, July 12, 2025. /MoH

At least 3.5 million children across Kenya have so far received the newly introduced Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine since the national immunisation campaign began on July 5.

In a statement released on July 12, Health CS Aden Duale said the ongoing Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) campaign has also seen 12.1 million children vaccinated against typhoid.

The campaign targets 6.5 million children for MR and 19.2 million for TCV across the country.

“Notably, over 4,000 zero-dose children—those never previously vaccinated—have now received both MR and TCV vaccines, strengthening population immunity,” Duale said.

The vaccines are being administered free of charge at public health facilities, schools, churches, mosques, markets and other community locations.

Trained health teams are also conducting household visits and outreach efforts to ensure all eligible children are reached.

“With three days left in the main campaign and two mop-up days remaining, the ministry urges all caregivers to act now,” the CS added.

Duale stressed that the vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving, and they are already in use globally to protect millions of children.

Both MR and TCV vaccines are approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), having undergone stringent international and local safety reviews.

The CS expressed appreciation to caregivers, parents, health workers, religious leaders, community mobilisers, and Kenyans at large for their strong turnout and continued support.

“From urban centres to remote areas, parents and caregivers have demonstrated strong commitment to protecting children from these preventable but potentially deadly diseases.”

While reaffirming government’s commitment to eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases, Duale called on the public to seek accurate information only from trusted sources such as the Ministry of Health, health professionals and accredited partners.

“Misinformation puts lives at risk,” the CS warned.