Health Chief Administrative Secretary, Dr. Rashid Aman and Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu launching the second round of polio immunization exercise in Kitui county.
A Health worker immunizing a baby during the launch of the second round of polio immunization exercise in Kitui county.
The Ministry of Health first round of polio immunization campaign surpassed the targeted 2.4 million children under five years.
Speaking during the launch of the second immunization exercise in Kitui county Saturday, the Chief Administrative Secretary, Dr. Rashid Aman said the Ministry managed to reach 2.5 million children in 12 high risk countries in the first round of polio immunization.
Dr. Aman said the Ministry second immunization exercise targets to reach over 2.8 million children with the life-saving polio vaccine in the next 5 days in 12 high risk counties of Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu, Kajiado, Meru, Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa, Mandera, Tana River, Lamu and Kitui.
‘’In order to reach all the children, vaccination teams will be moving from house to house vaccinating all children under 5 years in the 12 counties to ensure all children under five are reached,’’ he said.
He allayed fears of the safety of the vaccine arguing that the first round of immunization had isolated cases of children presenting with fever in health facilities due to coincidental period of increased Influenza illness.
Dr. Rashid assured Parents, caregivers and members of the public that vaccines used both for campaigns and routine immunization have undergone rigorous safety procedures and are VERY safe to be administered to the Children.
“The vaccines have been tested by our own National Quality Control Laboratory and found to be safe and we therefore wish to request parents, guardians and communities living in the areas where the campaign will take place to ensure that all children less than 5 years receive the polio vaccine,’’ he added.
He warned that the Government will take action against those who resist the exercise including enforcing relevant public health acts to ensure that all children and the entire Kenyans enjoy their right.
Speaking at the event, Kitui Governor, Charity Ngilu said Health is the second pillar of her government’s manifesto and this financial year, the county has allocated 30% of the annual budget to the health department to ensure that all essential services are available to the community.
”Kitui county government appreciates the important role that vaccination plays in preventing diseases. In the last financial year, we supported 175 immunization outreach services in hard to reach areas and procured four generators for power back up and gas for vaccine fridges in all facilities among other items,” she revealed.