19 million children vaccinated against Rubella, measles
Pupils prepare to take a Measles-Rubella vaccine jab at Melon Mission School in Nakuru on May 16, 2016. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The campaign received a Sh1.2 billion (USD12,332,399) grant from Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (Gavi) to vaccinate 18,972,922 children.
- Head of Immunisation Dr Ephantus Maree says that there were few cases of mild to moderate adverse effects reported following the exercise and “are still going through investigation.”
Preliminary results of the just concluded Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign indicates that the targeted 19 million children between 9months and 14 years were vaccinated.
The ministry of health said this represents 100 per cent coverage.
The campaign received a Sh1.2 billion (USD12,332,399) grant from Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (Gavi) to vaccinate 18,972,922 children.
The campaign started on May 16, 2016 with the national launch in Narok County.
Head of Immunisation Dr Ephantus Maree says that there were few cases of mild to moderate adverse effects reported following the exercise and “are still going through investigation.”
He however says that there are no severe or fatal cases reported.
“By day 9 on May 24, 2016, we had vaccinated 488,479 (72pc) women of reproductive age in the 11 participating counties,” says Dr Maree.
Children got double immunity against measles and rubella in the jabs of the new combined vaccine that is set to be introduced into the routine schedule of Immunisation.
World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that countries should conduct a wide age range campaign with MR vaccine, 6 months prior to its adoption into the routine.
Dr Maree said Kenya plans to introduce MR vaccine into routine immunization come January 2017 and hence the importance of the just concluded MR campaign.
“This was after Kenya National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (KENITAG) recommended replacement of measles vaccine for routine immunization with measles-rubella at 9 and 18 months,” Dr Maree said.
He said the Measles Rubella supplementary immunization activities were in line with the global Measles Rubella elimination strategic Plan 2012-2030.
“The implementation of this activity involved more than 42,000 health workers and 24,000 volunteers across all the counties of Kenya,” Dr Maree said.
According to Dr Maree, some of the challenges experienced during the vaccination include; late arrival of syringes and safety boxes due to logistics, resistance against vaccination especially from the Catholic Church and legio Maria and heavy rains.
