Kisumu: Kisumu County has begun a major immunisation campaign targeting over 459,000 children in a bid to curb typhoid fever-one of its most stubborn public health challenges. The rollout of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV), launched at Nyalenda Health and Wellness Centre, marks the first time the vaccine is being offered in Kisumu.
According to Kenya News Agency, the rollout, which is part of a nationwide campaign running from July 5 to 14, targets children aged 9 months to 14 years across Kisumu County. Health officials say the urgency is driven by the county's alarming burden of typhoid fever, with an estimated 12,900 infections annually, the majority of whom are children under the age of 15.
County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo, who presided over the launch at the Nyalenda Health and Wellness Centre, emphasized that the campaign is crucial. "More than 60 percent of typhoid deaths in Kenya occur in children. In Kisumu alone, we estimate that thousands of children are affected every year, and many more go untested. No child should suffer from a disease we can now prevent," he said.
Leparmorijo urged parents, religious leaders, teachers, Nyumba Kumi officials, and all grassroots leaders to ensure no eligible child is left behind, advocating for community-wide mobilisation for vaccination. The Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine, endorsed by the World Health Organisation, is being introduced into Kenya's routine immunisation schedule following its successful deployment in high-burden countries.
In Kisumu, the vaccine is being offered alongside the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, which targets an additional 159,000 children aged 9 to 59 months. Kisumu County Executive Committee Member in charge of Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation Dr. Gregory Ganda described the new vaccine as a major milestone in disease prevention.
Dr. Ganda highlighted the significant impact of typhoid in the region, stating, "Over 12,000 people in Kisumu had typhoid last year, most of them children." He stressed the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure due to inaccuracies in existing testing methods.
Florence Akech, Kisumu County's Expanded Programme on Immunisation Coordinator, revealed that 156 vaccination sites have been established across all eight sub-counties, supported by mobile teams to reach various community locations. Akech noted that community health volunteers have been deployed to conduct door-to-door awareness to ensure all eligible children are reached, aiming to counteract disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Backed by development partners including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi - the Vaccine Alliance, PATH, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and the Kenya Red Cross Society, the campaign represents a significant public health effort. At the Nyalenda Health and Wellness Centre, the first child to be vaccinated was the daughter of a nurse who works at the facility, demonstrating trust in the vaccine's safety.