By Habil Onyango
Homa Bay County has achieved 80 percent of its target in the recently concluded integrated Measles-Rubella and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine campaign.
The campaign, which launched on July 1 and ran until July 14, 2025, aimed to boost child immunization coverage and reduce the burden of these preventable diseases.
It targeted children aged 9 months to 59 months for the Measles-Rubella vaccine and those aged 9 months to 14 years for the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine.
According to Dr. Kevin Osuri, Homa Bay’s Health Chief Officer, the goal was to vaccinate 143,000 children against Measles-Rubella and 650,000 against Typhoid across all eight constituencies in the county.
“We are pleased to have achieved over 80 percent coverage for our targeted age group of 9 months to 14 years in our campaign against these two diseases,” he stated.
Dr. Osuri highlighted that Typhoid fever continues to impact thousands of families in Homa Bay, particularly in informal settlements and rural areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
He explained that the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine provides strong protection for at least four years with just one dose and has now been incorporated into the national routine immunization schedule at 9 months of age.
Dr. Osuri noted that Homa Bay has been experiencing an increase in cases of these diseases, which pose significant challenges and mortality risks to children.
“There have been several cases reported in various health facilities, including those involving hospitalized children and fatalities,” he added.
He admitted that both diseases have developed resistance to available medications, which is a primary reason for launching the vaccination campaign.
“With the rise of drug-resistant strains, treatment has become more difficult and costly, with our children being the most affected,” he explained.
Dr. Osuri revealed plans for a mop-up exercise scheduled for today (Tuesday) at all identified outreach sites, including churches, mosques, and schools, to ensure that any children who missed their vaccinations are accommodated.
The county has been utilizing Community Health Volunteers and other health workers to administer vaccines, with support from UNICEF and Lwala Community Alliance.
“We have organized follow-up visits to several institutions to conduct mop-ups, ensuring that no child is left out of this vital campaign,” he said.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank our healthcare workers and Community Health Volunteers, who are the backbone of our health system, and to express gratitude to our development partners for their support and the success of this campaign,” he concluded.
The vaccines were administered free of charge at all public health facilities and outreach sites.
