Government Rolls out Typhoid and Measles- rubella Vaccination
Kilifi County Director of Health Dr. Hassan Leli (Centre) flanked by other health officers during an interview in Kilifi. Photo by Ronald Ngoba.
By Ronald Mwadzombo
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Kilifi County is targeting to reach more than 810,000 children during the Ministry of Health’s nationwide vaccination against typhoid and measles- rubella.
The exercise seeks to reach about 7.5 million aged between 9 month and 5 years for measles and 19.2 million children aged between 9 month and 14 years with the typhoid conjugate vaccine nationally.
Speaking to journalists at the County Referral Hospital, County director of health Hassan Leli says they are targeting to vaccinate 600,088 children against typhoid and 210,000 against measles-rubella.
According to him already sub-county healthcare team have been trained and equipped with key strategies to ensure effective coverage across all seven sub-counties.
“We are ready for the exercise that will run between July 5 and 14. We have trained and equipped our staff with all that is required to ensure the vaccination campaign is successful.”
To ensure broad coverage, Dr Leli said the campaign would utilise multiple strategies including public schools and healthcare center’s outreach.
Churches, mosques, market centers, urban centers and other communal areas will also serve as vaccination points.
Typhoid remains a serious public health threat, especially for children under 15 years due to its prevalence from untreated water and poor sanitation.
“This vaccination is not just timely, it’s essential especially with the rising antimicrobial resistance and poor water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.”
In his view, the campaign will close the gap, increase immunity and break transmission chains in the region.
Christine Mataza, a health officer, urged parents to take their children for vaccination and support the drive towards a healthier and outbreak-free nation.
“We are asking parents to ensure none of the target age bracket is left behind. Measles is still a concern among children id not addressed through timely vaccination,” she said.
The campaign comes amid growing concerns over resurgence of such diseases as the vaccine coverage is currently at 80 percent for MRI and 60 percent for MR2 doses.
The Kenya National Immunisation Technical advisory group has endorsed the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) formation for its efficacy, which ranges between 79 and 85 percent in young children.
