The Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) Kenya and UNICEF Kenya are targeting to vaccinate 1.7 million Kenyans against Cholera in the next ten days.
This is the second phase of the oral Cholera vaccinations in the country after the first phase which targeted 2.3 million people in February, this year.
According to the World Health Organization Nairobi Team Leader on Health Emergencies, Preparedness and Response Dr. Martins Levinus 11,800 Cholera cases and 190 deaths have been reported in the country since October 2022.
“This Cholera wave had spread to 26 counties initially but with the effort of the Government of Kenya, partners such as WHO and UNICEF Kenya it has been controlled to only 3 countries. Hopefully we hope to bring it to zero cases in Kenya as soon as possible and that is why we are carrying out the Oral vaccination exercise to aid and support the various response activities going on in the various counties across the country,” said Dr Martins
Dr. Martins however remarked that the oral cholera Vaccine is not the only thing that can be done to control cholera.
“The vaccine is not the magic bullet. In addition to it, people need to practice good hygiene, cook their food well, wash hands with soap and clean water, dispose of human waste and other waste properly and consume healthy food. With all these measures in place, Kenya will not only be able to mitigate the effects of the disease but it will also save lives,” said Dr. Martins
He further noted that though the country has been witnessing severe droughts that has made water scarce leading to the emergence of other diseases and not just cholera, the government and the partners are working together to ensure that the citizens are able to access safe water to sustain them.
Kajiado County Chief Executive Committee Member for Health, Alex Kilowua noted that 398 cholera cases and five deaths have so far been reported in Kajiado.
“The cases have been reported in Kitengela and Kajiado North areas due to the high population. We really appreciate the Ministry of Health and the partners for the vaccine even as we urged our people to practice hygiene as though cholera is deadly, it is preventable,” said Kilowua.
While revealing that the vaccine will target over 300,000 people in Kajiado East constituency, Kilowua has urged the residents to turn up and take the vaccine.
The oral vaccine will be administered from 3rd to 12th August at health centers and door to door to children over one year and all eligible adults.
The campaign will take place in the affected areas of Kajiado, Garissa, Homa Bay, Machakos, Mandera, Marsabit, Nairobi and Wajir Counties.
By Diana Meneto
