Turkana County in partnership with the national government have surpassed the set target for measles vaccination in the county, with a record of 151,364 children.
Partners that supported the campaign include UNOPS, Ministry of Health, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNHCR Kenya, World Health Organization-Kenya, Save the Children, Diocese of Lodwar, PanAfricare Kenya, USAID Imarisha Jamii, USAIDNawiri and World Vision Kenya.
The just concluded countywide ten days Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign started on December 9-18, 2022 and was targeting 146,129 children between the ages of nine months to five years.
The parties involved in the success of the campaign were commended for surpassing the set national target of 95 per cent in the MR Vaccination Campaign.
“The County achieved a target of 103.6 % which is slightly above the set target because of vaccinating new arrivals in the Reception Centre in the Refugee Camp,” an official said during the campaign’s review meeting.
The supplementary immunization activity comes after 13 confirmed cases were reported in Kakuma Camp, mid this year.
Several officers working with parties in the health sector also congratulated the teams and gave recommendations on ways to curb measles.
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Gabriel Lopodo, who is the head of the Family Health Division, said the county has already conducted a cold chain needs assessment and was currently resource mobilizing.
Mr Lopodo further said that an efficient vaccine cold-chain system ensures that all health facilities are immunizing.
Gregory Waikwa, International Rescue Committee (IRC) Core Group Partners Manager, said the organization was committed to collaborating with the ministry to enhance high routine immunization and cross-border surveillance as strategies for MR elimination.
Luke Erot, Communication for Development officer at UNICEF Kenya (Lodwar Office), appreciated the health ministry’s leadership and support provided during the exercise.