The department of health services targets to vaccinate a total of 930,000 children aged between 9 months and 14 years against Measles and Rubella in Kakamega County by end of the nine day immunization exercise, which officially kicked off nationally on 16th May, 2016.
Kakamega County Executive for Health, Mrs. Penina Mukabane revealed the projection when she led hundreds of county residents in officially launching the event at a ceremony held at Chenjeni Primary School in Matete district, Lugari sub county.
Mukabane appealed to parents and guardians with children in the said age bracket to ensure they receive the vaccine, which besides immunizing their bodies against Measles it will also protect them against the dreaded Rubella.
Also read about, Measles and Rubella vaccination in Bungoma County.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed measles at position three among leading communicable disease that can be checked through immunization,” disclosed Mukabane.
She warned that both the unborn and children within the specified age bracket risked developing deformities caused by Rubella, commonly known as German measles, if not vaccinated.
“Some of the signs and symptoms of Rubella include rashes, slight fever, aching joints, reddened eyes, mild itching, swollen glands and headache,” Mukabane highlighted.
Children born by mothers, who are infected with Rubella, have high chances of developing birth deformities such as deafness, cataracts, heart defects, liver and spleen damage and mental retardation.
The county health boss assured county locals that the measles – rubella vaccine was secure and at the same time cautioned a section of politicians and clerics against opposing the process by spreading propaganda.
“They should in fact help the national and county governments to reach as many children as possible in order to secure the country against possible deformities and deaths caused by the two diseases,” said Mukabane.
The government has allocated a total of Ksh. 37 million towards the nine day measles – Rubella campaign, according to the official who was accompanied by senior health officials in the county.
