26th July, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The County Department of Health and Sanitation conducts a one-day meeting to discuss the acceleration of Measles Rubella vaccinations through targeted outreaches as the outbreak continues at the border sub-counties.

Supported by UNICEF through the National Vaccine & Immunization Program(NVIP), Sub-county Health Management Teams deliberated on the implementation plans of the accelerated vaccination activities in Lokiriama, Lokichoggio, Turkana North and Loima Sub-counties.

Speaking during the meeting, Head of Family Health division, Gabriel Lopodo said that there is a need for high routine measles immunization coverage to reduce the active measles cases.

“During outreaches, one of the activities is to conduct active case finding of measles to limit its transmission in the community,” he said.

Lopodo urged the team to monitor and report data on Measles Reubella coverage because the data will help in the documentation of future activities.

County Coordinator for Health Promotion, Ruth Areman, explained the importance of social behaviour change on immunization emphasizing consistency in communication.

“Let’s educate and create demand to the communities to improve immunization rates and trace unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children who have missed MR vaccine,” she said.

Addressing the team, the County Expanded Programme of Immunisation Coordinator, Daniel Erus explained to the team to leverage the opportunity for MR accelerated activities to strengthen other routine vaccination.

The outreaches will be conducted for seven days starting 1st to 8th August 2024 in the affected sub-counties.

The meeting was also attended by partner representatives from International Rescue Committee and Kenya Red Cross Society.