Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula on Thursday spearheaded the National Emergency Polio Vaccination Campaign launch in Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County.
The campaign’s inauguration, conducted in collaboration with diverse stakeholders, marks a united effort to eliminate the threat of polio and ensure the well-being of our nation’s children.
Dignitaries including the Governor of Kiambu County, WHO and UNICEF Country Representatives, and key health sector stakeholders graced the event.
Polio, a debilitating disease causing paralysis and fatalities, poses a significant public health concern.
Speaking in Ruiru, CS Nakhumicha expressed the campaign’s urgency, recalling the severe impact of past outbreaks, such as the tragic incident in Garissa County in 2013 which left 14 individuals paralyzed and claimed 2 lives.
”Polio is a serious disease that can cause paralysis, disability and even loss of life. I urge all Kenyans to be vigilant and ensure all children under the age of five have received the polio jab. Together, let’s protect our future generations,” the Health CS said.
The polio vaccination campaign will occur in 3 rounds. The first round will target 4 high-risk counties starting with Garissa, Kiambu, neighboring Nairobi, and Kajiado counties. This round aims to reach over 1.8 million children under 5 years.
The 5-day campaign, commencing today, will conclude on Monday, 28th August 2023.
Rounds 2 and 3 will be carried out in September and October 2023, targeting over 5.6 million children in these four counties and an additional six: Lamu, Tana River, Wajir, Mandera, Kitui, and Machakos.i
