Polio VaccinationCampaign Kicks Off In West Pokot

By Emmanuel Oyasi,

The five-day Polio vaccination campaign has kicked off in West Pokot County targeting children under the age of 10 years.

The West Pokot County Director of Health Dr. Jacob Ruto said the two-phase campaign will continue till 6th October in the first phase while the second phase will start on 2nd to 6th November.

The vaccination campaign will also cover Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Bungoma, Busia, Kajiado, Kiambu, Nairobi, and Machakos counties.

Speaking after the meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday, Dr. Ruto said that health officials will be going door to door to administer the vaccine which he assured residents of its safety.

“Our health officers will be moving door to door to administer polio vaccine to children under 10 years in the campaign that kicks off on Wednesday,” said Dr. Ruto.

Children’s Officer West Pokot County Cliff Opopa stressed the importance of the vaccine considering West Pokot County is one of the counties located on the border areas with increased risk of Polio outbreak.

“This vaccination is very important to our children, bearing in mind we are at the border area with a high risk of Polio outbreak,” said Mr. Opopa.

On her side, the Red Cross organization coordinator in West Pokot County, Stella Kapelo called on the residents to cooperate with health officials to make the exercise a success.

“I appeal to our people to cooperate with health officers by bringing their children for vaccination to make this exercise a success,” she said.