Elgeyo Marakwet County Executive in charge of Health Monica Rotich has called on parents to take their children for vaccination in all 131 health facilities in the County, assuring them that the vaccines do not have any adverse effects.
The County Executive who was speaking during the launch of the Measles-Rubella and typhoid vaccines at Moi Tambach primary school said the vaccines had been well researched and are important in protecting children against the said diseases.
“No government can allow its people to be given vaccines that can affect their health,” She assured them.
Ms Rotich said the County was targeting to vaccinate approximately 200,000 children aged between 9 to 5 years for the measles-rubella disease, while those aged 9 months to less than 15 years will receive the typhoid vaccine, noting that some children will be receiving both vaccines depending on their age.
She assured residents living in Kerio Valley and Marakwet East Sub-counties, which have been experiencing cases of insecurity, that their children will also be vaccinated.
“The two Sub-counties are now experiencing relative peace and therefore, the vaccination exercise will go on as scheduled,” Ms Rotich said.
The County Executive said all the 131 health facilities will be administering the vaccines, with other temporary centres being mounted in churches, mosques, schools and any other place with a large gathering.
She appealed to residents to maintain cleanliness, saying during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the diseases caused by poor sanitation had gone down as a result of simply washing hands.
Ms Rotich, however, lamented that people had stopped washing their hands, leading to an increase in diseases like typhoid, which are caused by poor sanitation.
By Alice Wanjiru
