Elgeyo Marakwet County governor, Alex Tolgos has appealed to parents with children under five years to avail them for measles and rubella vaccine.
The ongoing 10-day vaccination exercise which commenced Saturday 26th June to run up to 6th July is targeting about 70,000 children under five years across the county.
Speaking during the launch of the vaccination program at the county referral hospital Saturday, Tolgos said the vaccination exercise will be rolled out to all the 20 wards in the county.
He added that the county health team will be visiting different places and schools where Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) pupils are below the age of five to accord them an opportunity to be vaccinated.
The governor reiterated that the health team will only be dealing with ECDE centres within primary schools and teachers in feeder schools will be expected to avail their students at the various vaccination centres.
“The effects of measles and rubella are bad and if children are not vaccinated and they contract this disease they risk losing their lives,” said Tolgos, adding that he does not want the children in the area to suffer, hence the need for parents to take their children for vaccination within the stipulated period and avoid last minute rush.
The last vaccination managed to reach 93% of the target group and the county is looking to get to 100% this time round, with cooperation from parents as well as other stakeholders.
The target is all the children between ages 5 months to 5 years whether previously vaccinated or not because the second round will boost their immunity.
By Rennish Okong’o
