Immunizing a child means providing them with vaccines to protect them from diseases that can be prevented through vaccination, such as polio, measles, and smallpox, helping them grow up healthy. Vaccines have been one of the greatest advancements in global health, reducing the impact of infectious diseases by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight off diseases. Immunization also prevents the spread of these diseases, decreases sickness and mortality rates, and contributes to herd immunity, protecting entire communities, including those who cannot be vaccinated.
Immunization can prevent a wide range of diseases, including tuberculosis, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis B, meningitis, and many others, including cancers like cervical cancer and liver cancer. While immunization rates globally have improved, there remains a significant challenge in reaching zero-dose children those who have never received any vaccines or are under-immunized. Zero-dose children are especially vulnerable and often live in marginalized communities facing multiple deprivations.
Globally, one in seven children are zero-dose, and in Kenya, 3% of children have not received their first dose of the DTP vaccine. This equates to around 48,000 children annually, primarily from communities that lack access to health services. Addressing this issue requires urgent action, including targeted outreach programs and community engagement to ensure that zero-dose children receive the vaccines they need.
Kenya has made considerable progress in reducing the number of zero-dose children through initiatives such as mobile vaccination campaigns, community health strategies, and improving vaccine supply chains. Support from global organizations, including UNICEF and GAVI, has helped strengthen health infrastructure, ensuring vaccines reach underserved areas and increasing public awareness about the importance of immunization.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Disparities in immunization coverage persist, with children in urban slums, remote rural areas, and conflict-affected regions being particularly difficult to reach. The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted routine immunization, with an estimated 78,000 fewer children vaccinated each year during the pandemic. One in every ten children in Kenya is still unvaccinated, and only two-thirds of girls have received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine.
Immunization coverage varies significantly across regions and socio-economic groups. Nairobi and Mombasa, two of Kenya’s largest cities, account for a substantial proportion of zero-dose children due to the high number of informal settlements. Additionally, 60% of refugee children in Kenya have not received any vaccinations, underscoring the vulnerability of displaced populations.
Efforts to increase immunization coverage must address challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, logistical barriers, and inadequate storage capacity for vaccines. Ensuring the availability of high-quality vaccines at affordable prices, strengthening supply chains, and engaging communities in vaccine planning and implementation are critical to overcoming these challenges.
Global health organizations, including GAVI, UNICEF, and WHO, play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. They provide technical support, training for healthcare workers, and assist in strengthening vaccine supply systems. These partnerships also focus on enhancing public awareness and combating misinformation, which is key to increasing vaccine acceptance and overcoming hesitancy in some communities.
Kenya’s goal is to reduce the number of zero-dose children by 25% by 2025 and by 50% by 2030. Achieving this goal requires continued collaboration between the government, global health partners, and local communities. This collaboration should focus on expanding access to vaccines, addressing inequalities in health services, and building long-term capacity for vaccine production and management within the country.
In conclusion, immunization is a vital tool in protecting children and communities from preventable diseases. By working together to address challenges, ensure vaccine access, and engage communities, we can build a healthier future for all children, regardless of their location or circumstances.
