Nyamira County is targeting to vaccinate over 300,000 children between nine and fourteen months in the ongoing 10-day national vaccination campaign that started on Saturday, July 5, against measles, measles–rubella and typhoid.
Nyamira County Health Services Director, John Kimani, said that Nyamira County is targeting to vaccinate 65,818 children between 9 to 59 months against measles and Measles-Rubella, and another 239,008 children between 9 months to 14 years against typhoid.
“The health department has set up vaccination centres in all public health facilities in the county, in schools, markets, and even worshipping places to ensure that no child within this age bracket misses out on this vital health campaign. The county intends to attain 95% of the target,” Kimani explained.
He confirmed that the healthcare workers involved in the exercise were adequately trained for the exercise and are also under close supervision; therefore, parents need not worry.
He appealed to all parents with children within this age bracket to seize this rare opportunity and ensure their children are vaccinated, noting that some children might have missed previous vaccinations due to shortages or other challenges.
Dr. Irene Kerubo, who is overseeing the vaccination campaign, echoed the importance of disease prevention which is safer and cheaper than cure, emphasising that vaccination is not only about health but about securing a robust economy in our households.
She explained that when children are healthy, parents can focus on development and productive work, thereby advising parents to take advantage of this rare free opportunity in ensuring their children are protected against contracting these three killer diseases.
“The vaccines are being administered via injection measles and typhoid vaccines are being injected into the upper arms left and right, respectively, while the measles-rubella vaccine is being administered in the thigh and does not have serious side effects.
Furthermore, the medics are prepared to handle side effects which may arise but the common ones are pain, mild headache or dizziness which subsides after a short while,” she explained.
The health services Director affirmed that they are committed to collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure a shared investment in the health and prosperity of children’s future.
By Deborah Bochere and Brian Aricha
