NAIROBI — More than 16.1 million children have been vaccinated against typhoid following the conclusion of Kenya’s nationwide immunization campaign, which ended Tuesday.
The 10-day campaign, which also targeted measles and rubella, began on July 5 and reached thousands of health facilities and schools across the country. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale confirmed that the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) achieved 84% national coverage. The Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine reached over 5.18 million children, translating to 81% of the campaign’s goal.
Health CS Aden Duale called the effort one of Kenya’s most ambitious public health undertakings in recent years. “The campaign recorded overwhelming response across the country,” he said in Nairobi.
The Ministry of Health also vaccinated more than 74,000 zero-dose children those who had never received any routine immunization. In a significant step forward, the typhoid vaccine will now be offered for free at all health facilities authorized to administer routine immunizations.
“This vaccine is now part of our national immunization schedule,” CS Duale said. “Parents and guardians can now walk into any immunizing facility and get it for their children without cost.”
The Health Ministry attributed the campaign’s success to coordination among health workers, school administrators, county governments, and international partners. These included Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, PATH, AMREF, the Red Cross, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and the Polio Core Group.
Health CS Duale also acknowledged the Ministry of Education’s role in ensuring schools remained accessible during the exercise. “We thank caregivers, teachers, and our health partners who made this campaign possible,” he stated.
He warned against misinformation surrounding vaccines and encouraged the public to verify facts through trusted sources. “We urge Kenyans to get vaccine information from credible channels and to support immunization efforts in their communities,” he said. “This is how we protect our children and secure their futures.”
The campaign follows global concerns about rising typhoid cases, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water. The typhoid vaccine, now integrated into routine child immunization, is expected to reduce hospitalizations, school absenteeism, and long-term health complications linked to the disease.
The Ministry confirmed it will continue to track coverage levels and follow up with communities to ensure no child is left behind.
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