The County Government of Nakuru is set to roll out a massive vaccination exercise against Monkeypox (Mpox) virus, following reported new outbreaks of the disease in the devolved unit.
County Chief Nurse Wendy Tirop announced that the vaccine will be administered in a phased approach between September 3rd and 13th, September 2025, targeting high-risk groups.
The exercise will focus on those at highest risk, including people who have had close physical contact with confirmed cases, populations at increased risk such as long-distance truck drivers and sex workers and healthcare workers who provide direct care to Mpox patients.
Tirop assured members of the public that the vaccine, which has been shown to be up to 82 percent effective in reducing disease severity, transmission and mortality, was safe.
The medic said the roll-out is an important milestone and will serve as an additional public health measure to complement a comprehensive response to the Mpox outbreak that includes other interventions.
“The Mpox vaccination campaign will not target the general population, but will prioritize high-risk groups. This vaccine is not a silver bullet but one of several public health measures being used as part of a comprehensive response to the outbreak. It complements our broader efforts to contain and manage Mpox in Kenya,” said Tirop.
As of last week, Kenya has reported 383 confirmed cases of Mpox across 24 counties, with Mombasa leading at 170 cases. Nakuru County has reported 22 cases comprising 13 females and 9 males, of which Tirop indicated that 21 have already been successfully treated and discharged, demonstrating effective case management.
In addition to vaccination and screening efforts, the County Government’s Department of Health is conducting laboratory tests to identify and isolate new cases, while contact tracing is ongoing.
“The campaign will prioritize truck drivers, cross-border PSV drivers, and sex workers, with vaccination offered at fixed wellness centers strategically located at truck stopovers in Mai Mahiu and Salgaa along the Northern Transport Corridor,” disclosed the Chief Nursing Officer.
Speaking during a sensitisation meeting with vaccinators, Tirop said the initiative is designed to protect the most vulnerable groups who are at increased risk of exposure due to the nature of their work and mobility.
Mpox was first confirmed in Kenya in 2023, with sporadic cases occurring throughout the year.
However, the situation has deteriorated in recent months, requiring a more urgent and coordinated response.
Tirop stated that despite the county’s exposure through a major transport corridor, Nakuru’s Department of Health, working closely with partners, has successfully implemented interventions that have kept case numbers under control.
“This collaboration underscores the county’s commitment to safeguarding public health through timely response, effective treatment, and multi-sectoral partnerships,” she affirmed.
She said that the County Government has activated its Health Department’s Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (DSRU) to coordinate response against the Mpox virus and stop spread of the disease in the devolved unit.
Tirop indicated that the devolved unit’s Department of Health, in collaboration with the Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (CIHEB), has further launched a training program for healthcare workers on the management of the disease.
“Currently, Nakuru County ranks third nationally in Mpox cases after Mombasa and Busia, with 22 cases reported so far. Out of these, none of the cases remain active; all have fully recovered,” stated the Chief Nursing officer.
She noted that the surge in Mpox cases in Mombasa and Busia prompted the need for a capacity-building initiative to strengthen Nakuru’s preparedness and response along this critical transport corridor.
She announced that the health department was collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO), Amref Health Africa, and USAID’s Tujenge Jamii initiative to stage sensitisation efforts in transit-heavy communities, with Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and frontline workers undergoing targeted training.
According to Tirop, as part of the response strategy, the devolved unit has categorised the northern transport corridor as high-risk and operationalised public health emergency operations centres to coordinate response efforts.
“We are working on targeted interventions for truck drivers, a key mobile population, rolling out structured awareness sessions along key transport corridors. This initiative is incorporating Community Health Promoters (CHPS),” the official pointed out.
She added “Eight (8) high-risk areas along the Northern transport corridor have been mapped and targeted interventions instituted. All healthcare workers and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) have been alerted. Surveillance has been enhanced in all the sub-counties: The County is using both Indicator-Based Surveillance (IBS) and Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) to avert spread of the disease.”
The declaration of Mpox as a global public health emergency is the second in two years. In July 2022, WHO announced the first, following a multi-country outbreak of Mpox, which was spreading swiftly through sexual contact, and in countries that had never recorded prior cases.
In May 2023, the global health emergency was declared to be over, following a steady decline in global cases.
Tirop said the County was running public awareness campaigns on ways of preventing the spread of Mpox which requires isolation of individuals diagnosed with Mpox from both humans and animals, infected individuals and those caring for them wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, including surgical masks and disposable gloves, to minimize the risk of transmission, and regular handwashing with soap and water, along with the proper disinfection of contaminated surfaces.
She urged residents to ensure meat is thoroughly cooked and to wash their clothes and linen regularly.
Virus symptoms include high fever, skin rash, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and general body aches.
The virus can spread through contact with a sick person and respiratory droplets.
Tirop assured residents that the County Government has identified and prepared isolation facilities with a bed capacity of 192 to receive and manage cases.
They include Naivasha Hospital, Gilgil Hospital, St Joseph’s Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital, Mother Kelvin Hospital, Mirugi Kariuki Sub-County Hospital, Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital, Bondeni Sub County Hospital Elburgon Hospital and Sachangwan Health Centre.
According to the Africa CDC, two vaccines are currently recommended for use against Mpox: JYNNEOS and ACAM2000.
JYNNEOS is the preferred vaccine for the current outbreak of Mpox. It is a two-dose vaccine series, administered four weeks apart for maximum effectiveness.
A vaccine recipient is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose.
The JYNNEOS vaccine does not cause Mpox, smallpox, or any significant adverse reaction.
Indications for the vaccine include known and presumed contacts of a case of Mpox and queer individuals who have had multiple sexual partners in the last 14 days.” says Africa CDC.
“Vaccination is a known means of prevention against the disease. Africa CDC recommends post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with the approved vaccine for all close contacts of a confirmed case.
Close contacts include those living in the same household or those who had sex with the case including kissing, hugging and cuddling, sharing of utensils, towels, and bedding, or coming in contact with or touching the rashes on the body of the case,” says Africa CDC.
It adds: “High-risk populations such as healthcare workers and sex workers should also be prioritised for vaccination, as mass vaccination is not currently recommended for Mpox.”
By Anne Mwale
