Emergency measles and polio immunization campaign commenced with a bit of a furore after nearly scores of mothers came in with their children to avail immunization, and this left many sections of the country short of vaccines. Infact, the stock of vaccines started getting depleted by 11 am itself, just a few hours after commencement of the vaccination drive.
Assistant Minister for Medical Services, Dr Wilfred Machage, during the commencement of the vaccination programme in Nairobi’s East Leigh Chief’s camp, pointed a finger at the parents for not administering timely immunization to their children, which is the reason for the outbreak.The vaccination drive is planned to be conducted in a phased manner to ensure vaccinations for nearly 500,000 children who are thought to be in the high risk category for measles and transmission of the polio virus. With polio and measles being certainly avoidable diseases with help of vaccinations, parents must avail of them to safeguard their children from the deadly diseases.
World Health Organization Country Representative Dr Peter Eriki has also offered financial assistance to the African Country, of Sh40 million and Sh200 million for its use in the first and second phases of the vaccination campaigns.
