Ministry Of Health Set To Launch Polio Vaccination Campaign Nationwide
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Loading... - Mark Mbugua
- 02 Oct 2024
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The Ministry of Health in Kenya is set to launch a nationwide polio vaccination campaign from October 2nd to 6th, 2024, following an outbreak of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) in the country. This year, five polio cases have been reported, including four children from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County and one positive environmental sample in Kamukunji Sub-County, Nairobi.
The campaign will aim to vaccinate over 3.8 million children under the age of five in nine high-risk counties: Nairobi, Busia, Bungoma, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado. Mary M. Muriuki, Principal Secretary for Public Health, emphasized the importance of the vaccination effort and highlighted the role of over 107,000 Community Health Promoters in ensuring its success. She urged parents and caregivers in these counties to ensure their children receive the vaccine.
In addition to the polio campaign, Ms. Muriuki addressed the ongoing mpox outbreak, confirming eight cases and advising the public to practice good hygiene and avoid contact with symptomatic individuals. The Ministry is working to secure mpox vaccines for high-risk populations.
This polio vaccination campaign coincides with the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) on October 1st, 2024, part of Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, aimed at improving healthcare access and financing.
