Nyamira County has surpassed her vaccination targets during the 15-day measles and typhoid nationwide vaccination campaign, the County Director for Health Services, John Kimani, has confirmed to KNA.
Kimani disclosed that the county had a target to vaccinate 239,008 children between 9 months to 14 years against typhoid, but managed to vaccinate 282,274 children, marking a success rate of 118% achievement
At the same time, the county had targeted vaccinating 65,818 children between 9 and 59 months against measles, but managed to vaccinate 84,274 children, thus realizing a success rate of 128% achievement.
“This was a great milestone and achievement and indicated that the reception of the national vaccination campaign exceeded our expectations,” Mr Kimani explained elatedly.
The director attributed the success to close, seamless coordination and collaboration by all key stakeholders during the 10-day nationwide exercise.
Kimani commended all government officials and especially the health department staff for working tirelessly during the exercise to clear long queues in designated vaccination centres in all public health facilities despite the harsh weather conditions characterised by wet and very cold mornings, including prolonged rainfall in the afternoon.
“The synergy from key stakeholders was fantastic, hence the reason why we surpassed our targets. The National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), the Ministry of Education, involving the county and sub-county education officers and teachers and the religious leaders from all denominations in our county,” the director explained
He thanked the parents for agreeing to bring their children for vaccination voluntarily and assured that even those who missed out can still get the jabs at the public health facilities.
The County Director for Health Services explained that the typhoid vaccine will soon be part of the regular vaccines for children to cushion them against the prevalent disease, which has become deadly in recent years.
The nationwide vaccination exercise against measles and typhoid diseases officially ended on Monday this week.
By Deborah Bochere
