Health
West Pokot County has launched a mass polio vaccination campaign in a bid to eradicate the disease within the region.
Speaking during the launch of the polio campaign at Kong’elai shoppping centre in Kacheliba sub county, County Director of Health Dr. Jacob Ruto noted that the initiative by the Ministry of Health is a part of broader efforts to ensure that all children are vaccinated against polio, which is a highly infectious viral disease that can lead to paralysis and even death.
He said they are doing a four-day mass polio campaign, and they are targeting to vaccinate around 285,000 children against polio. Dr. Ruto disclosed that the mass campaign involves coordinated efforts at health centers and door-to-door initiatives. He noted that the vaccine is a crucial measure for children in preventing the spread of infectious diseases like polio, which can have severe consequences for children.
The vaccine not only protects the children who receive it but also helps to create herd immunity within the community,” Dr.Ruto said. He disclosed that they are targeting to reach communities, including those bordering Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, noting that border areas are prone to polio outbreak due to mobility of populations and in some parts of the county they experience limited access to healthcare services.
The Health Director said they have engaged the local health workers to ensure that children under the age of ten receive the oral polio vaccine. Dr.Ruto noted that the vaccination of children is important and urged parents and guardians to participate actively in the campaign to protect their children and community as a whole from the polio disease.
West Pokot County has launched a mass polio vaccination in Kacheliba Sub County aimed at eradicating the diseases within the region . Photos and Photos by Agnes Chepkopus
He explained that health officials in the county are keen on reaching as many children as possible, especially in remote areas of the county where healthcare access may be limited. The polio campaign, he explained, is part of ongoing efforts by the government and global health organization to eliminate polio and safeguard public health.
Dr.Ruto urged local leaders and health practitioners to take an active role in promoting the campaign and awareness-raising about the benefits of vaccination and risks associated with polio. He also urged the local community to support the initiative for it to get maximum coverage and ensure no child is left unvaccinated.
County Coordinator of the Kenya Red Cross Society, Ms.Scolla Kapelo emphasized the crucial role that the Kenya Red Cross plays in public health education and community engagement, particularly concerning vital initiatives such as the polio vaccination campaign.
She highlighted that the mission of the Kenya Red Cross Society to save lives aligns seamlessly with the objective of the mass polio vaccination efforts launched in West Pokot County. Ms. Kapelo emphasized that the KRCS is dedicated to educating communities about the critical need for polio vaccination.
She reiterated the need to change perceptions and encourage parents who have failed to take their children to be vaccinated against polio to comply. Kapelo urged parents to take the campaign against polio seriously, highlighting that the vaccination not only protects individual children’s health but also contributes to the overall well-being of the community.
Christine Natuch, a polio survivor, passionately advocates for polio vaccination, urging parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the vaccine. Ms. Natuch emphasized that the vaccines play a crucial role in preventing polio and that its effectiveness is markedly enhanced when children receive multiple doses, ensuring lifelong immunity against all three types of polio virus, type 1,2 and 3.