A child receives polio vaccine during the the National campaign launch by Dr Mailu(CS Health) in Kajiado town over the weekend.
CS Mailu joined kajiado residents in launching the National Polio Vaccination Campaign which will run in all the 47 counties, targeting 9 million children below 5 years. The CS accompanied by the Deputy Governor Hon. Paul Ntiati, Area MP Elijah Memusi, Women rep Mary Senator, Senator Kipchumba, MCAs, CEC for health Gladys Marima and other county officials.
Speaking during the occasion the CS said Polio cripples and is an extremely infectious disease which has cure, but a safe, tested and effective vaccine is available to prevent our children from contracting polio virus. To eradicate Polio in Kenya, as part of the Polio Global Endgame strategy, the ministry in close collaboration with stakeholders have enhanced surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis [AFP], leading to disruption of transmission of polio, with the last case reported in Kenya nearly three years ago.
To achieve this success, the country has conducted 18 successful polio vaccination campaigns, and has now introduced inactivated polio vaccine [IPV] in routine immunization. Further, the country has destroyed laboratory samples containing virus [serotype 2] in order to meet its global commitment. While recognizing the Effort and significant strides made in routine immunization in the country, we note that coverage for fully immunized child in the country has significantly improved from 56% [FY 2013/14] through 66% [FY 2014/2015] to the current 76%.
Further, the ministry is fully committed to provide quality health of the highest attainable standard for all Kenyans as enshrined in the Constitution. As part of this commitment, the ministry will continue to work with the county governments and all stakeholders to ensure that routine immunization is strengthened across the entire country in order to ensure children have access to and utilize lifesaving vaccines to lay a shiny foundation for their development.
Cleopa also acknowledge the partners including World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International, UNHCR, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, Kenya Red Cross, CDC, LDS Charities and many others. He also acknowledge the able leadership provided by H.E. the Governor leading to improvement of the health indicators in the county and for hosting this national event.
County government also promised to sensitize on polio vacination in the county.
