The Meru County Government intends to vaccinate approximately 700,000 children against Typhoid, Measles, and Rubella as part of a nationwide campaign that commenced on July 5.
The immunisation campaign spearheaded by the Ministry of Health seeks to address rising cases of preventable measles and Typhoid infections in the country.
Specifically, 533,739 children are targeted for the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV), and 164,430 for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The campaign has also been necessitated by a decline in adherence to routine immunisation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking during a sensitisation forum for various stakeholders, Meru County Health Services Director Dr Koome Muthuri said the effort is intended to reach 95 per cent of children under 15 years.
“Teams of health workers will be visiting schools, homes and other public spaces to ensure 95 per cent of the children are reached with immunisation. We urge parents to cooperate and ensure their children are vaccinated,” Dr Muthuri said.
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Children aged between nine months and five years will receive the Measles-Rubella (MMR) vaccine, while TCV will be administered to children between nine months and 14 years.
Dr Erastus Kanake, the director of Medical Services, stated that Typhoid, Measles, and Rubella can have severe effects on the body if left untreated.
“Rubella is known for causing miscarriage in pregnant women. It can also cause congenital conditions in unborn babies. Severe Typhoid also affects all body organs,” Dr Kanake explained.
He said vaccines help those who are immunised save up to Sh500,000 in medical costs.
According to data from the health department, cases of measles have been on the rise, with 824 cases recorded in 2024, up from 274 in 2023. Another 110 cases of Typhoid have been recorded in the county.
Despite this, the uptake of MR vaccination has been between 63 percent and 70 percent.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Kenya is also facing a rise in cases of antimicrobial-resistant typhoid.
“Children under 15 years bear the greatest burden and those under five are most at risk of death. The spread of drug-resistant typhoid—exacerbated by climate change and urbanization—poses a real and growing threat. Vaccination has proven to be a powerful tool in stopping this disease,” Duale said.
He said Kenya recorded 2,949 measles cases and 18 deaths between January 2024 and February 2025.
Over 100,000 cases of Typhoid are reported annually, mostly affecting children in informal settlements.
By John Majau
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