The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Department of Health in Busia County has embarked on mass polio vaccination with a view to reducing its negative effects including deaths among children,
The exercise which will be carried out in two phases targets to vaccinate 308,000 children aged 10 years and below.
Speaking during the launch of the exercise at Ebenezer Academy on Wednesday, Busia County Expanded Programme on Immunisation Logistician, Juliet Kilima said that the disease is communicable hence the need to observe hygiene among children.
“I have overheard people saying that polio had been eradicated a long time ago in this country but I want to clarify that this particular exercise is being carried out as a response to around 9 cases that have been reported across the country.
Kilima further said that Busia is one of the six Counties that have been listed by the government for the vaccination exercise.
“The first face of this exercise begins from October 2 to October 6 and November 6 to November 10,” she said.
Busia Deputy Governor Arthur Odera said the county government is fully committed to work with the national government in ensuring all children of 10 years and below have been vaccinated.
Odera who is also the CECM for Health called on all leaders to help by mobilising many people to ensure the children are vaccinated adding ‘we are in school, roads, health facilities and even at your doors to ensure your children have been vaccinated’
He further urged the residents to register for Social Health Authority (SHA) adding that they have benefits equal to everyone with high earners contributing more while less earners contributing less.
“We are using those with high incomes to insure those with lower income which is a social justice scheme. We want everyone to register because health is important and lack of health insurance crates poverty in this country,” he said.
Joseph Achumi, Administration officer 1 in the office of the county commissioner said the village elders will help the health works to ensure that every child has been reached adding that the vaccine is safe for use.
“All children below the age of 10 will be immunised and the vaccine is safe for use. The village elders will be moving with the health workers as they give vaccines to ensure all children have been vaccinated” he said.
By Rodgers Omondi
