Malindi: An outbreak of measles has been reported in Malindi Sub County, amid concerns over low childhood immunization coverage that local health officials warn could expose the community to more epidemics. At least four children have been reported to have contracted measles in the Shella area of Malindi town, with health officials saying they are conducting a mop up exercise and administering repeat measles vaccine doses to those who may have missed out in the recent campaign.
According to Kenya News Agency, Sub-county Public Health Officer Alex Maitha said despite recent vaccination campaigns a significant number of children have not received the recommended two doses of the measles-rubella vaccine. "Our immunization coverage is very low, and we are already witnessing a measles outbreak in Malindi, with several cases reported. We are conducting mop-up exercises, moving door-to-door and to schools to give booster doses where children have missed out," Maitha said.
Speaking during an immunization sensitization workshop for community leaders at a Malindi hotel, Maitha noted that while the government-led campaign on measles, rubella, and typhoid vaccines had improved coverage slightly, the targets were not met. "If children do not get vaccinated as required, we face the real danger of frequent outbreaks of preventable diseases," he cautioned.
Meanwhile, the officer warned about the spread of M-pox, citing two samples taken for analysis in Kilifi County and 140 cases registered in neighboring Mombasa County. "Mpox spreads quickly through skin contact. If a vaccine is introduced, we must embrace it, knowing that we are already facing an outbreak," he added.
On the other hand, Sub-county Nursing Services Coordinator Esther Kasichana echoed the concern, pointing out that uptake of the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer in Malindi stands at less than 10 percent. "This performance is not good. Many parents and even some teachers still hesitate when health workers bring vaccines to schools. We need to create awareness so that caregivers understand the importance of vaccines, especially for children under five," Kasichana said.
Sub-county Immunization Coordinator John Karisa urged parents to take advantage of the 23 health facilities in Malindi that offer routine vaccines, from BCG at birth to HPV for girls aged 10-14 years. "By July, our coverage was at just 35 percent against a target of 90 percent by December. We call on all stakeholders and parents to take responsibility because health is a shared duty," Karisa said.
Religious leaders have also thrown their weight behind the campaign. Famau Mohammed Famau, a Malindi cleric, dismissed myths and misconceptions about vaccines, urging parents to act responsibly. "There is no harm in taking children for vaccination. Religious leaders strongly oppose false beliefs that discourage immunization. Parents must take full responsibility and protect their children," he said.
Health officials are now banking on continued community sensitization and stakeholder involvement to reverse the poor performance and shield Malindi residents from preventable disease outbreaks.