The County government of Busia is set to roll out an Mpox vaccination campaign in Malaba from July 17, 2026, in a 7–10-day exercise targeting populations at high risk of infection in the busy border region.
The campaign is part of efforts to curb the spread of the disease in Teso North, which hosts the Malaba One Stop Border Post, one of Kenya’s busiest entry points.
Malaba border post is characterized by high volumes of cross-border movement, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
The exercise will target people who were not vaccinated during the previous campaign.
Among those targeted are truck drivers, boda boda operators, sex workers, market vendors, hawkers, members of the cross-border business community, clearing and forwarding agents, hotel workers, money changers and frontline healthcare workers.
Health officials will conduct both daytime and nighttime vaccination drives to ensure the targeted groups are reached at their places of work.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting, Teso North Sub-County Diseases Coordinator, Kelvin Tangara said each eligible person will receive a single dose of the vaccine and remain under observation for 30 minutes after vaccination to monitor any immediate adverse reactions.
He added that vaccinated individuals will continue to be monitored for 28 days for any delayed adverse effects following immunization (AEFI).
“We are also planning to roll out routine Mpox vaccination at the border point to reduce the risk of cross-border transmission of the disease,” he said.
Tangara said every vaccinated person will receive a vaccination certificate as he urged residents to remain vigilant by observing preventive measures and seeking medical attention whenever they develop symptoms associated with Mpox.
By Jane Kefrica and Elizabeth Achieng
