OPINION: Vaccination is a lifeline for mothers and children, and a pillar of Kenya’s health transformation

By Dr. Bashir Issak

Head, Directorate of Family Health, Ministry of Health – Kenya

As the Ministry of Health rolls out the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaigns across Kenya, I take this opportunity to sincerely thank the thousands of caregivers who have responded positively.

In counties, sub-counties, and communities across the country, parents—especially mothers—are taking bold steps to protect their children. This growing trust in vaccines reflects our collective belief in health as a right, not a privilege.

But these vaccines are doing much more than preventing illness—they are strengthening maternal and family health, easing the burden on mothers, and contributing to Kenya’s long-term development agenda.

Why TCV and MR Matter for Mothers and Families

Diseases like typhoid and measles disproportionately affect children under 15, but their impact on families—particularly mothers—is often underappreciated.

When children fall ill, it is mothers who miss work, spend nights at hospitals, or make impossible financial decisions. Immunisation prevents these scenarios by keeping children healthy and allowing families to thrive.

Measles and typhoid are not only disruptive but potentially deadly, especially in communities with limited access to care.

For pregnant women, measles can lead to miscarriage, preterm delivery, and other complications. That is why high immunisation coverage is essential for safeguarding maternal health outcomes in Kenya.

Immunization and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda

The Government of Kenya, under the leadership of President William Ruto, has committed to transforming lives through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

At the heart of this agenda is Universal Health Coverage (UHC)—a promise to ensure every Kenyan, regardless of where they live or how much they earn, can access quality and affordable health services.

Vaccination is a frontline UHC intervention. It prevents disease before it starts, reduces out-of-pocket medical expenses, and strengthens community resilience.

When families don’t have to spend money treating preventable illnesses, they can redirect resources to education, nutrition, and economic activities.

That is what bottom-up transformation looks like in real terms—empowered households making progress because they are healthy and protected.

Anchoring Immunization in National Development Priorities

Kenya’s long-term development frameworks place immunization at the centre of our health priorities. The Kenya Health Policy 2014–2030, the RMNCAH Investment Framework, and the Kenya Vision 2030 all recognise child and maternal health as vital to our national growth.

The National Immunization Strategy further outlines how we intend to achieve equitable and sustainable immunization coverage by strengthening systems, reaching the unreached, and building public trust.

These policy commitments are not abstract—they are being realised in the form of school-based vaccination programs, outreach to informal settlements, and partnerships with county governments to improve cold-chain infrastructure and human resources for health.

Communities at the Centre

Our approach also recognises that caregivers are not just recipients—they are vital partners. When we empower mothers and community health promoters with knowledge and tools, we multiply the impact of our health interventions.

The Ministry of Health continues to invest in community-led strategies, health promotion, and integrated service delivery to ensure that every child gets the right vaccines at the right time.

In Conclusion

Immunization is more than a medical intervention—it is a catalyst for social and economic transformation. By preventing disease, we safeguard lives, protect incomes, and enable families—especially mothers—to live with dignity and purpose.

The progress we have made so far is encouraging, but we must not stop. Let us continue to prioritise vaccination, not just as a health intervention, but as a foundational tool for delivering on Universal Health Coverage and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Together, let us build a Kenya where no child is lost to a vaccine-preventable disease, and where every mother has the peace of mind that comes from knowing her family is protected.