By Oti Oteba/Bungoma
The government is set to vaccinate over 3.8 million against polio in 9 high risk Counties in Kenya.
The vaccination drive is being supported by UNICEF, World Health Organization, Kenya Red Cross and Rotary Club among others.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Ms. Mary Muthoni during the official launching of the polio vaccination drive at Lwakhakha border point, Deputy Director General for health (State department of Public Health and Professional Standard) Dr.Sultani Matendechero stated that the ministry aims to vaccinate 3,843, 275 million children with 221,663 being under 10 years.
Matendechero emphasized the need for vaccination while calling upon parents to avail their children for the vaccination drive.
The Counties where the five day’s polio vaccination is ongoing include Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, Bungoma, Busia, Trans Nzoia and Turkana.
“We have rolled out the vaccination drive after Five cases were reported at Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana while one case from an environmental surveillance was detected in Nairobi which is very dangerous for us as a Country,” he said.
He added, “We have launched this programme here today which also targets our neighbours in Uganda after one case was found in Mbale Town,”.
Bungoma County health and sanitation CECM Madam Carolyne Makali lauded the national government for the vaccination drive.
She confirmed that 769,694 Children under 10 years in Bungoma County are set to receive Polio dozes.
Madam Makali called on area residents to avail their children to be vaccinated to ~Avery~ polio in the County.
“This is a five day drive and am calling on all residents to bring out their children so that the dose can be administered to them, as a county we have been privileged to host this event and we must turn out in large numbers to make the Program a success,” she said.
At the same time she called on residents to turn up in large numbers and enroll into the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to be able to access medication in any health facility.
Present were Public Service and management CECM Agnes Wachie, Director Health and sanitation Dr Caleb Watta and a section of CHMT members.
