The Ministry of Health (MOH) has planned a polio vaccination campaign scheduled to start from Saturday, 7th October to Wednesday, 11th October, 2023.
This campaign entered its second phase after the first phase took place earlier from 24th to 28th August 2023 in four counties of Kiambu, Kajiado, Garissa, and Nairobi. During this phase, a total of 1,960,748 children under 5 years were vaccinated out of a target of 1,879,402 children.
The campaign will target 10 high risk counties namely: Mandera, Wajir, Tana River, Lamu, Kitui, Machakos, Kiambu, Kajiado, Nairobi and Garissa, targeting 3,119,158 children under 5 years of age in all the targeted sub-Counties.
However, this time round the campaign will not only target children under five years, but will also vaccinate children from age 15 going downwards. This comes after the confirmation of the virus in a 7 year old child.
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“Polio is a threat to everyone. In this campaign, we are targeting children under 15 years. Let’s ensure children are up to date with routine immunization and that they receive all the doses required. Let’s ensure all our children are vaccinated during this 2nd targeted campaign,” said Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary, State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards.
”This is a collective responsibility, the government cannot win alone. We thank all our partners for the support provided to eradicate polio in the country,” she added.
Further, the ministry has raised concern that transmission of the virus is still active in Garissa County, especially within the refugee camps.
Therefore, in Fafi and Daadab Sub-Counties as well as all refugee camps in Garissa County, the campaign will target all children under 15 years.
The ministry has further called on the public to ensure that their children are up to date on the recommended vaccination schedules.
The PS noted that missed vaccination opportunities among children also contribute to the ongoing polio outbreaks.
“I therefore urge all parents to ensure that their children receive all the required doses of the vaccines to stop further polio outbreaks. This begins at birth with the birth dose followed by another dose at 6 weeks, 10 weeks and at 14 weeks.”
Additionally, the ministry also emphasized reporting suspected cases to the nearest health facility or chief, including ‘nyumba kumi’, as well as calling the hotlines numbers 719, 0729471414, or 0732353535.
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