MoH to conduct first phase of Polio vaccination campaign in October

Addressing the press on Monday, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni stated that the campaign will aid in boosting population immunity among children in Kenya.

The campaign comes after the Ministry detected an outbreak of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2) first detected in four children living in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County.

Additionally, a polio-type 2-positive sewage sample was found in Kamukunji Sub-County, heightening the Ministry's surveillance.

In collaboration with County Governments, PS Muthoni said that the vaccination drive will seek to reach 3,843,275 children, including 2,021,663 under 10 years in Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, and Turkana.

She added that another 1,821,612 children under 5 years in selected areas of Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu And Kajiado counties will also be vaccinated.

"All high-risk counties have been alerted to remain vigilant particularly those in Western Kenya due to the detection of type 2 polio in Bio district, Uganda which borders Bungoma County," she said.

Parents and caregivers in the targeted areas have been urged to ensure that their children uptake the vaccination.

The first round will administer 4.1 million doses and 14.6 million doses will be rolled out in the second round set for 2025..