The government is targeting 5.6 million children under five years in a new vaccination drive against polio.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said the immunisation campaign — which was launched at the Ruiru Level Five Hospital in Kiambu —will be conducted in three phases in 10 high-risk counties.
In round one, the CS said the five-day exercise will start in Garissa, Kiambu, Nairobi and Kajiado where 1.8 children are targeted and ends on August 28.
Rounds two and three will be conducted in September and October, targeting more than 5.6 million children in these four counties and an additional six others which are Lamu, Tana River, Wajir, Mandera, Kitui and Machakos.
Nakhumicha had in June said the ministry was notified of isolation of polio-viruses from samples collected from three children in refugee camps in Garissa.
“As of today, we have isolated polio-viruses from a total of six children in Garissa, all of which are linked to other viruses detected in one of our neighbouring countries. It is for this reason that we have planned to mount a response to interrupt further transmission of the virus,” she noted.
To reach all the targeted children, she explained, vaccination teams will be moving from house to house, immunising all children under the age of five years irrespective of their current vaccination status
“In addition to this strategy, all the children seeking treatment in health facilities for other disease conditions will receive the vaccine.
Some vaccinating teams will specifically be deployed to temporary fixed posts like schools and churches, transit points, and high-rise buildings in urban areas to ensure no eligible child is left out,” Nakhumicha said.
The vaccines have been tested and approved by the World Health Organisation, Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the National Quality Control Laboratory.
“It is the same vaccine being used globally, and is both safe and effective. Therefore, I urge all parents, guardians, care givers, civil society organisations and communities living in the areas where the campaign will take place to support our efforts,” the CS stated.
Kenya reported the last indigenous polio virus case in 1984 and was subsequently declared polio-free in 2005 after attaining the documentation requirements for a country to be certified polio-free. BY PEOPLE’S DAILY