Kiambu, Kenya – The Ministry of Health has wrapped up the third round of its polio vaccination campaign in Kiambu County. This five-day initiative, part of a national effort, aimed to immunize 10,000 children under five years old, contributing to the national target of vaccinating 1.8 million children across Kenya.

According to Kenya News Agency, the campaign was initiated following the detection of six poliovirus cases at Hagadera Refugee Camp in Garissa County earlier this year. Kiambu is among the ten counties identified as high-risk areas for polio infection.

Njoroge, speaking at a review meeting in Ruiru, highlighted the ongoing process of evaluating the successes and challenges of the campaign. She emphasized the importance of continuing the fight against polio to ensure the well-being of children in Kenya and urged parents who missed the campaign to visit government health centers for vaccination.

Kiambu, along with Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kitui, Tana River, Garissa, Lamu, Wajir, and Mandera, is at high risk for polio. The first and second rounds of the campaign were also conducted successfully in August and October, targeting additional counties.

The first round of the campaign saw over 1.96 million children vaccinated, surpassing the target of 1.88 million. The second round reached 23,000 children under five. Njoroge noted that the vaccination was primarily conducted at homes due to the school break.

She reassured the public of the vaccine’s safety and stressed the importance of complete immunization to prevent outbreaks. The campaign’s conclusion marks not just the end of an exercise but a step towards securing future generations from the threat of polio.