Measles, typhoid outbreaks spur vaccination drive

Measles vaccination in Kajiado County. [File, Standard]

The Ministry of Health is set to conduct a nationwide mass vaccination campaign against measles and typhoid, following outbreaks reported in several parts of the country.

The campaign, which kicks off this week, targets 7.5 million children aged between 9 and 59 months with the Measles-Rubella vaccine. Additionally, some 21 million children aged between 9 months and 14 years will receive the typhoid conjugate vaccine.

Data by the Ministry of Health shows that at least 23 counties have reported measles outbreaks, attributed to low uptake of the measles vaccine.

Several counties have also reported outbreaks of typhoid, including Nairobi.

“The unprecedented increase in the number of unvaccinated children has resulted in multiple outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles,” reads part of a letter addressed to all County Directors of Health by the Director General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), typhoid fever remains a significant public health concern in Kenya, with an estimated 126,000 cases and more than 1,500 deaths reported annually. The disease is endemic in Kenya, with a high burden observed in areas with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation, particularly in urban slums.

Amoth, noted that typhoid fever remains a persistent public health problem, primarily affecting children under the age of 15.

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He warned that the disease can lead to severe health complications, including death, with recurrent outbreaks reported in various parts of the country.

Amoth noted that the mass vaccination campaign to be conducted across the 47 counties is scheduled to run from July 4 to July 13.

Vaccines will be provided through injections at Early Childhood Development (EDC) centres, primary and secondary schools, and health facilities nationwide.

Ministry of Health has written to respective ministries including Interior, Education, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and county governments seeking support. The Ministry of Interior is expected to help mobilise local leaders including village elders, chiefs, religious leaders and opinion leaders in support of the vaccination.

The outbreaks are attributed to failure to vaccinate newborns, coupled with Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, a lot of parents kept off hospitals, due to fear of contracting Covid-19. Failure to get to hospitals resulted into zero-dose children.

The campaign will be conducted against a background of Global reduced fiscal space, with an emphasis on the utilisation of domestic resources and leveraging on existing activities.

The campaign activities will be directly funded through United Nation (UN) agencies.

Meanwhile, there is likelihood of more outbreaks as the country has in the past reported persistent shortage of vaccines. Among vaccines that have been out of stock include polio, BCG and measles.