The Ministry of Health is urging parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive typhoid and measles-rubella vaccinations within the next 48 hours, as Kenya’s national immunization campaign enters its final stretch.
More than 3.5 million children have received the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine, and 12.1 million have been vaccinated against typhoid since the campaign kicked off on July 5.
The campaign targets 6.5 million children for MR and 19.2 million for the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), with the main phase ending in three days, followed by a two-day mop-up.
“Vaccination is safe, effective, and life-saving,” the ministry said in a statement on July 12. “We urge all caregivers to act now.”
Ignore the Misinformation
The ministry explained the campaign’s reach, noting that over 4,000 zero-dose children, those who had never been vaccinated received both MR and TCV vaccines during the drive.
Vaccines are being administered free of charge at public health facilities, schools, churches, mosques, markets and other community venues.
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Mobile health teams are also conducting door-to-door outreach to reach eligible children.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases, urging Kenyans to rely on accurate health information and warning against the dangers of misinformation.
“From urban centers to remote areas, parents and caregivers have shown strong commitment to protecting children from these preventable but potentially deadly diseases,” Duale said.
“Misinformation puts lives at risk,” the CS warned.
Vaccination Campaign in Kenya
Both MR and TCV vaccines have been approved by the World Health Organization and meet rigorous international and local safety standards.
The ministry thanked health workers, religious leaders, community mobilizers, and the public for supporting the campaign.
The statement further stressed that the remaining days are critical to reaching full immunization targets and protecting all Kenyan children from the threat of disease.
Kenya’s Director-General of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, emphasized that every vaccine used in the country is thoroughly reviewed and approved before being added to the national immunization program.
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He encouraged parents and guardians to ensure their children receive all recommended vaccines, showing the government’s strong commitment to protecting the health of all Kenyans, especially children, through the use of proven, safe, and effective immunizations.
Dr. Amoth reassured the public that vaccines such as the Measles-Rubella and the recently introduced Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine have met all necessary regulatory standards.
“Each vaccine undergoes a comprehensive vetting process involving two independent oversight bodies before it is rolled out nationally,” he noted.
He further explained that the first level of evaluation is carried out by the Kenya National Technical Immunization Advisory Group (KENITAG), which examines global data on vaccine safety, efficacy, and best practices.
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