The Ministry of Health through the National Vaccines and
Immunization Program (NVIP) plans to conduct a Measles – Rubella vaccination campaign in 22 selected counties.
According to risk assessment conducted in the country with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry identified the 22 counties as being at very high risk for measles outbreaks.
These include: Kilifi, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Tanariver, TransNzoia, Elgeyo marakwet, Busia, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Kajiado, Nairobi, Bomet, Bungoma, Kakamega, Narok and Vihiga.
“These 22 selected counties that are at highest risk from
25th June to 5th July 2021. The campaign targets to reach approximately 3.5 million children of ages 9 – 59 months over this period and is expected to cost Shs800 million,” Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said.
In a Measles Rubella Catch up vaccination media breakfast, she appealed to leaders to mobilize resources to support Measles Rubella immunization services at all levels and also encourage their communities to go for vaccination.
She said that immunization being the most cost-effective public health intervention, it should be embraced dearly by all Kenyans.
The campaign is to involve more than 16,000 health-workers, who will offer the vaccines free of charge through 5,061 vaccination posts that will be set up in Public places including Markets, Schools, Churches, Mosques and other social places and mobile vaccination teams in addition to all public health facilities within the 22 counties.
The country remains at constant threat of measles outbreaks as has been witnessed over the last one year, in which outbreaks have been reported in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Westpokot and Tana River among other counties.
The unprecedented increase in the number of unvaccinated children, accumulation of susceptible children to more tan 2.1 million and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemics has compounded this problem.
Measles and Rubella are highly infectious and serious diseases caused by viruses, for which human beings are the only reservoir.
Measles is the third most common cause of deaths among children from vaccine preventable diseases.
Deaths are mainly due to complications- severe diarrhea, pneumonia, ear infections (Otitis – media) with sometimes presence of pus from the ears, brain damage and Blindness.
Rubella like Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause serious health complications to newborns such as birth defects, including heart problems, loss of hearing and eyesight, and brain damage.
The launch of the vaccination campaign will take place in Kajiado
County on Friday 25th June.
Additionally, Mwangangi added that the vaccination campaign will utilize vaccines which are in use in the routine immunization program and that are procured by the Government of Kenya.
She appealed to all parents and caregivers with children ages 9 months to 59 months to take them for immunization.