The ministry of health has kicked off the polio vaccination campaign after launching a new polio vaccine recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Medical Services Director Jackson Kioko said the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) will replace one of the three oral vaccines linked to paralysis.
“Once introduced, children will receive two doses of oral polio vaccine and the injectable IPV instead of the usual three doses,” Kioko said.
The vaccine was launched at Ihura Stadium in Murang’a County on Thursday and it will be introduced in 11 counties with a high risk of polio outbreak according to the ministry.
“We were worried about Somalia which had high cases of new infections that found their way into our country but they have not reported new cases for more than a year now,” Kioko said.
Previously, the exercise has been fraught with controversy from especially the Catholic Church which said the vaccine used in 2015 was tainted.
However after joint tests, the vaccine was given a clean bill of health. The vaccine is part of WHO’s global strategy to eradicate polio.
In Limuru, the campaign was carried door to door on Sunday with those administering the vaccine visiting churches where they could reach more people in centralised locations.
There have been concerns over the numerous vaccination campaigns with many questioning why they are being done so close together. The Ministry of Health has assured parents that the vaccine being used is safe and meant only to prevent children contracting debilitating polio.
The vaccination campaign targets nine million children under the age of five.
Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu launched the countrywide exercise on Saturday in Narok Town.