A nationwide vaccination campaign has been launched in Kenya to combat recent outbreaks of measles and typhoid, which have been reported in several counties. The initiative, which starts this week, is targeting millions of children in an effort to curb the spread of these vaccine-preventable diseases.
The campaign aims to immunise 7.5 million children aged between 9 and 59 months with the Measles-Rubella vaccine. Additionally, 21 million children aged between 9 months and 14 years are expected to receive the typhoid conjugate vaccine.
Data indicates that at least 23 counties are currently facing measles outbreaks, a situation linked to low vaccine uptake in recent years. Several other counties, including Nairobi, have also reported rising cases of typhoid.
The rise in outbreaks has been attributed to an increase in the number of unvaccinated children. Many of these cases are a result of the disruption in health services during the Covid-19 pandemic, when parents avoided hospitals due to fear of infection. This contributed to the emergence of “zero-dose” children those who have never received any routine vaccinations.
Typhoid fever continues to pose a serious public health risk in Kenya. It is estimated that the country experiences about 126,000 typhoid cases and more than 1,500 related deaths annually. The disease is particularly common in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water, such as informal urban settlements. Children under the age of 15 remain the most affected demographic.
The vaccination campaign is scheduled to run from July 4 to July 13 across all 47 counties. Vaccines will be administered through injections at Early Childhood Development centres, primary and secondary schools, as well as health facilities. To ensure success, the Ministry of Health has partnered with several government departments, including Interior, Education, and the Teachers Service Commission.
Local leaders—including village elders, chiefs, religious figures, and other community influencers—will be mobilised to raise awareness and encourage parents to bring their children for vaccination.
Despite the urgent need, the campaign is taking place amid global financial constraints. Kenya has been urged to make better use of domestic resources and integrate the campaign with existing health activities. Funding for the vaccination drive will be provided through United Nations agencies.
There are concerns that outbreaks may continue due to persistent vaccine shortages in the country. In recent years, vaccines such as polio, BCG, and measles have frequently been out of stock, disrupting routine immunisation programs. Addressing these shortages remains a key challenge for the health sector as it works to prevent future public health emergencies.
