Health

Polio vaccination underway in Northern Kenya after outbreak in Garissa

A past polio vaccination drive in Garissa County. (Photo: KNA)

By Dennis Tarus | Monday, January 29, 2024

The campaign targets a total of 755,011 children under the age of five across Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties.

The government has begun conducting a third round of the Polio Vaccination Campaign after the Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of the disease in Garissa County with Nairobi also reported to be at a possible risk.

According to the Ministry, the current polio outbreak is attributed to "importation from a neighbouring country", putting all children at risk of the polio disease.

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"Following the isolation of 14 Polio viruses from stools collected from children in refugee camps in Garissa County, as well as from environmental samples from sewage in Garissa and Nairobi counties, the confirmation affirms that the country is still faced with the significant threat of polio disease," the Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki said.

The latest round of the campaign targets three high-risk counties; Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa.

Originally, planned for November 2023, the third round was postponed due to heavy rains experienced in these counties.

The campaign began on Saturday, January 27 and will run until Thursday, January 31, 2024.

Target groups

The vaccination campaign aims to target 755,011 children under the age of five and an additional 238,447 children aged between five and 15 years in Fafi and Dadaab sub-counties and all refugee camps in Garissa.

The ministry urged parents and caregivers to make their children available to vaccination teams during the campaign.

"The ministry assures the public that all vaccines used in the country, including the polio vaccine, are safe and effective, offering additional protection through multiple rounds," the PS said.

Parents and the general public have been requested to report any child under 15 years of age presenting with a sudden onset of weakness in the hands, legs, or both to the nearest health facility.

Reports can also be made through the hotlines 0729471414 or 0732353535.

Polio is a crippling and fatal disease that has no cure; however, it can be prevented and eradicated through vaccination.

"Additionally, the public is reminded that polio spreads through the fecal-oral route. Therefore, it is crucial to use toilets to properly dispose of human waste and practice proper hand hygiene measures," the PS added.