Wajir Heath executive calls for awareness on immunization of children, with the numbers of immunised children increasing in the recent past. [Photo/gavi.org]
Wajir Heath executive Dahir Somaw has said that the need to create awareness on the importance of vaccination to the children will increase the number of children being vaccinated.
Mr. Somaw said the county’s immunization has increased from 23 percent to 51 percent last year because of the sensitization campaigns.
Mr. Somaw said lack of relevant information on vaccination especially among pastoralists community and in the rural areas is to blame for the low turnout in hospitals adding that the sensitization exercise should mainly target children who miss out on the routine immunization.
The repeated rounds of vaccination will increase the children’s immunity and enhance the ability to resist diseases.
“This is very good progress, but we need to do more to ensure every baby is vaccinated. We need to target the rural areas where immunization remains low,” Mr Somaw said.
Traditional birth attendants are given a Sh500 incentive for every expectant mother they refer to the health centre.
According to the 2014 demographic health survey, women in Wajir give birth two times more than their counterparts in other parts of the country.
The survey indicates they are having four times the number of children as women in Kirinyaga – at an average of eight children – while those in Kirinyaga have an average of two.
The health executive said there is need to introduce the plan in other health facilities in the county in a bid to provide quality care for mothers and newborns.