Ministry of Health has begun rolling out the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) in a major nationwide campaign from 5th to 14th July 2025. Health officials hope the vaccination drive will shield children from a disease that has grown both persistent and drug‑resistant.
At the Nyalenda Health and Wellness Centre in Kisumu, County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo described the campaign as “not just another routine exercise, it is a lifeline.” He highlighted that children under 15 account for over 60% of typhoid deaths in Kenya.
The Scale of the Threat
Every year, Kenya records around 100,000 cases of typhoid. Kisumu alone sees roughly 12,900 infections, mostly among children . Experts warn that climate change, rapid urbanisation, and growing antibiotic resistance are making the disease harder to control .
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said, “Vaccination remains the strongest shield we have to protect our children.” He added that Kenya is witnessing a rise in antimicrobial‑resistant typhoid, especially among those under 15.
How the Campaign Works
- Who’s targeted?
– Typhoid vaccine: children aged 9 months to 14 years.
– Measles‑Rubella vaccine: children aged 9 to 59 months. - Where and when?
– Across all 47 counties from 5 to 14 July.
– Targeting more than 459,000 children in Kisumu alone. - What’s next?
– TCV will then join the routine vaccination program after the campaign.
Safety and Oversight
Dr Patrick Amoth, Health Director‑General, assured the public that the vaccines passed strict national review before approval. He said: “All vaccines, including the Measles‑Rubella and the newly introduced Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine, have passed stringent regulatory processes.”
Voices from the Field
- Commissioner Leparmorijo emphasized the urgency: “It is a lifeline.”
- CS Duale urged parents: “No child should suffer or die from preventable diseases.”
Fear and Mistrust
A growing number of Kenyan parents online are refusing the measles and typhoid vaccines currently being administered in schools and communities. This hesitancy is largely fueled by mistrust, misinformation and fear especially following recent government actions, such as police crackdowns on protesters. Some parents are not signing the consent form their children bring home or explicitly instructing schools not to vaccinate them.
A concerned family member expressed frustration and fear after their sister received a typhoid vaccine at school, despite warnings from family members against it. She expressed that teachers and nurses are vaccinating children without parental consent and links the vaccines to a hidden agenda. She argued that the government prioritizes mass vaccination over basic needs like food and education and call on parents to protect their children from what they describe as foreign-controlled health policies.
Balanced Perspective
Some Kenyans worry about vaccine safety. The government has responded by reminding the public of the rigorous checks each vaccine undergoes.
Pro‑vaccine experts highlight that a single dose of TCV protects children for up to five years, suggesting long‑term benefits.
What it Means for Families
The Ministry of Health believes the campaign has the potential to cut both illness and antibiotic resistance. It is also expected to reduce hospital visits, ease financial pressure on families and allow children to stay in school.
Ministry of Health expressed that the ten‑day vaccination push is a critical step in protecting the next generation and this could mark a turning point in the fight against typhoid.
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