This archive report was first published on 13 September 2019.
Kenya is set to become the third country in Africa to adopt the malaria vaccine programme, with the vaccine to be rolled out in eight counties. The programme, which will be unveiled today by the Government, will be officiated by Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki in Homa Bay County.
According to the Ministry of Health, the vaccine will be rolled out in Homa Bay, before proceeding to Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Kakamega. The vaccine will be incorporated into the national immunisation schedule and will be given to children at the ages of six, seven, nine, and 24 months.
"Within the eight targeted counties, some of their Sub-counties have an opportunity to introduce the vaccine into their immunisation schedules, while others are expected to introduce the vaccine later," reads a statement from the Ministry of Health. The statement also notes that "to get proper protection, a child must get all the four vaccine doses and continue sleeping under a mosquito net every night."
Kenya's adoption of the malaria vaccine programme comes as the country continues to fight against the disease. While progress has been made, there have been recent outbreaks in some countries, including Baringo County where seven people died. The Ministry of Health has been distributing nets to combat the vector borne disease and has implemented other interventions such as door-to-door spraying of houses and the use of anti-malarial drugs, especially on pregnant women.
