Kenya has successfully concluded a nationwide immunization campaign that saw over 16.1 million children vaccinated against typhoid. The exercise, which ran for 10 days starting on July 5, also included the administration of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, reaching more than 5.18 million children.
The campaign achieved an impressive national coverage rate, with 84% of the target population receiving the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) and 81% receiving the MR vaccine. This large-scale effort is considered one of the most ambitious immunization drives in the country’s history. It also marked a significant milestone in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly among vulnerable groups.
One of the most notable achievements of the campaign was the successful vaccination of over 74,000 zero-dose children those who had never received any form of routine immunization before. This is expected to significantly boost Kenya’s progress toward universal health coverage and reduce child morbidity and mortality caused by preventable illnesses.
In a move aimed at sustaining the gains made during the campaign, the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine will now be integrated into routine immunization services and made available at all health facilities across the country, free of charge. This decision ensures that children who were not reached during the campaign will have continued access to protection against typhoid.
The success of the initiative was attributed to the coordinated efforts of health workers, county governments, schools, and numerous local and international partners who supported planning, logistics, and public awareness campaigns. Schools played a critical role in providing easy access to children, while extensive community engagement helped counter misinformation and encourage uptake of the vaccines.
Parents and caregivers were urged to continue supporting immunization programs and ensure that their children receive all recommended vaccines. Communities were also encouraged to rely on trusted and credible sources of information about vaccines to avoid the dangers posed by misinformation, which remains a significant challenge in public health campaigns.
By making vaccines readily accessible and reinforcing the importance of immunization, the country is taking a major step toward safeguarding the health of future generations. Continued collaboration between health authorities, educational institutions, and partners will be essential in sustaining high vaccination coverage and preventing outbreaks of typhoid and measles-rubella in the years to come.
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