Kenya is celebrating a significant milestone in its relentless battle against cholera and polio outbreaks, with over 1.6 million individuals vaccinated against cholera and 1.95 million children protected from polio.
This achievement underscores Kenya’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding the health of its citizens.
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Responding to the urgent need to combat ongoing cholera outbreaks that had affected 12,079 people and resulted in 200 fatalities across 27 counties, Kenya launched a Cholera vaccination campaign on August 3rd, 2023.
The results are nothing short of astonishing:
Counties in which the campaign was conducted were strategically selected due to their history of cholera outbreaks since October 2022, building upon the success of a campaign in February 2023 that reached 2,033,999 individuals.
Further, Kenya has laid out plans for preventive Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaigns throughout 2024, aiming to encompass all high-risk counties over three years.
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In a separate effort, Kenya successfully completed the first round of reactive Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) to address a confirmed polio outbreak with six cases.
This campaign, held from August 24th to August 28th, 2023, focused on vaccinating children under five in four high-risk counties.
Upcoming SIA rounds in September and November 2023 will expand to ten high-risk counties, targeting over 2.8 million children under five.
These campaigns are integral to Kenya’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensuring every child’s right to a healthy future.
But this success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of health professionals, stakeholders, partners, and the unwavering support of the public.
While celebrating these achievements, Kenya recognizes the ongoing work needed for the continued health and well-being of its citizens.
“We urge everyone to remain vigilant, practice essential public health measures, and join us in future public health campaigns.”
Mary Muthoni Muriuki, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, extends heartfelt gratitude to all involved in these vital campaigns, emphasizing the importance of sustained dedication to public health efforts.
