The Ministry of Health has urged parents and guardians to take their children for polio vaccination.
“MOH_Kenya would therefore wish to request parents, guardians and communities living in the areas where the campaign to take their children,” the ministry tweeted.
“Your contribution counts in making sure that we provide every child with quality, safe and effective vaccines,” they added.
This campaign which targets more than 3.4 million children will kick off on May 22nd and run-up to May 26, 2021.
The campaign targets to vaccinate 249,391 children in Garissa, 255,885 in Mandera, 51,206 in Isiolo, 180,714 in Wajir, 175,425 in Kitui, 85,020 in Tana River, 25,104 in Lamu, 233,770 in Machakos, 330,465 in Kiambu, 327,338 in Kilifi, 234,197 in Kajiado, 965,243 in Nairobi and 323,620 in Mombasa.
The ministry emphasized the vaccination is for children below five, however, they also requested parents to report any child aged below 15 years who develops sudden weakness of hands or legs or both to the nearest health facility for examination.
“Kindly ensure that every child under the age of 5 years in your community in the targeted counties is vaccinated during the campaign to expedite our journey towards a polio-free Kenya.”
Despite the reduction of polio cases around the world by over 99% from 1988, polio is still a virus that causes paralysis.
Polio is transmitted through contaminated water or food or contact with an infected person.
The condition is not curable but treatment can help.
Vaccination remains the overall prevention of polio.
By Everlyne Bosibori
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