The Ministry of Health has commenced a public sensitisation campaign to enlighten Kenyans on the need to participate in the upcoming polio vaccination exercise scheduled to take place from 2nd to 6th October.
State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni Muriuki said that the five-day’ polio vaccination campaign will be undertaken in nine high-risk counties: Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu, and Kajiado.
Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, Muthoni said that they detected an outbreak of a polio strain, Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (Cvdpv2), from four children in Turkana County living in Kakuma refugee camp.
She explained that they have initiated the quick response vaccination exercise in efforts to ensure that the numbers don’t increase.
“Polio is a disease caused by a virus which causes paralysis over time. Immunisation has been developed to best curb the disease, which is administered orally through 2 drops,” explained the PS.
She said polio is not easily detectable during its early stages, adding that some of its symptoms include muscle weakness and stunted growth.
According to the Principal Secretary, all high-risk counties, particularly those in Western Kenya, have been alerted to remain vigilant due to the detection of type 2 polio in Bio district, Uganda, which borders Bungoma County.
Dr. Rose Jalango, a Vaccinology and Public Health Specialist, said, “It is much cheaper to prevent a disease than to treat it. Vaccines protect not only yourself but also others around you,” she explained.
The campaign is estimated to reach 3.8 million children, with an estimate of one million being children under the age of five and the rest under the age of 10.
The first round is set to distribute 4.1 million doses, with the second one being 14.6 million in 2025.
The Ministry of Health urged Kenyans to get their children vaccinated during this period as prevention is better than cure.
By Mwendwa Mwenda and Imbiakha Phanice
