Murang’a County has launched a 10-day vaccination campaign against measles and typhoid, with health officials urging parents and guardians to present their children for the Measles-Rubella (MR) and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccines (TVC).
Speaking during the official launch held at Murang’a County Referral Hospital on June 5, County Director of Health Dr. James Mburu said the vaccines are part of a nationwide effort to protect children from these preventable diseases.
“These two vaccines have been developed by experts and will help safeguard our children from measles and typhoid.” Dr. Mburu said.
The national campaign targets children aged 9 months to 5 years for the MR vaccine and those aged 9 months to 14 years for the typhoid vaccine.
Dr. Mburu emphasised the importance of the two vaccines, noting that they are critical in preventing illnesses that have recently shown an upward trend in the country.
“We conduct periodic disease surveillance, where we take samples to the national laboratory. Positive results from both our county and nationally have necessitated this vaccination campaign,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with vaccine production partners, is leading the initiative to ensure vulnerable age groups are reached.
“When children in these age groups contract these diseases, they are more likely to suffer severe health outcomes,” Dr. Mburu said, explaining that typhoid is spread through contaminated water and food, while measles and rubella are viral diseases.
He warned that complications from typhoid can include perforated intestines, while measles and rubella may affect the nervous system and, in severe cases, lead to vision loss – complications that vaccines can prevent.
Dr. Mburu also called on all stakeholders to intensify public awareness efforts to ensure parents bring their children to health facilities and designated sites across all nine sub-counties in Murang’a.
He further noted that following the campaign, the typhoid vaccine will be integrated into the routine immunisation schedule.
Veronica Kang’ethe, the county’s vaccination coordinator, said the campaign targets approximately 108,000 children aged 9 months to 5 years for the MR vaccine and about 331,000 children aged 9 months to 14 years for the typhoid vaccine, bringing the total to roughly 440,000 children.
She noted that Murang’a South and Kandara sub-counties have the highest number of children, while Ithanga has the lowest.
“Over the next 10 days, we’ll be vaccinating children at health facilities, schools, churches, markets, and other mobile vaccination sites.” Kang’ethe said.
“Unlike polio campaigns, this one will not be door-to-door.” She added.
Wambui Mwaniki, a nurse and parent who had her children vaccinated during the launch, on her part encouraged fellow parents to take part in the campaign.
“My two children were vaccinated today; the two-year-old received both MR and TVC, while the eight-year-old received the typhoid vaccine.” she said.
She urged all parents to embrace the vaccines and protect their children from measles, rubella, and typhoid.
By Purity Mugo
