A polio vaccination drive. Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said his Ministry was working with that of Education to ensure the anti-polio campaign targeting 8.4 million children for immunisation was successful. Mr Macharia said the country was targeting to be polio-free by 2018 and said the campaign was very important. PHOTO/FILE
Every child will be required to have a polio certificate before being enrolled in school as one of the measures to control spread of the disease.
Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said his Ministry was working with that of Education to ensure the anti-polio campaign targeting 8.4 million children for immunisation was successful.
Tighten border
He also said the government would tighten its border surveillance of the disease, noting that the latest upsurge of polio was “imported” from neighbouring countries.
Mr Macharia was speaking during launch of the nation-wide polio vaccination drive at Ruiru sub-district hospital in Kiambu Friday.
He was accompanied by Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and area MP Esther Gathogo, among other leaders.
Terming the disease as a national shame, he said it was unfortunate that Kenya was one of the only eight countries globally that still has incidences of polio.
Polio-free
Mr Macharia said the country was targeting to be polio-free by 2018 and said the campaign was very important.
“This is a shame we must eradicate. It does not give us any pride to be listed among the few countries with polio,” he said.
He also said a directive by the Indian government requiring Kenyans travelling to that country to have polio vaccination certificates will greatly inconvenience many as it requires one to be immunised at least six weeks before the travel date.
Mr Macharia called on Kenyans to fully co-operate, noting that the exercise had cost the government Sh1 billion since it was launched in July 2013.
The county executive member for health Dr Jonah Mwangi said the campaign was hampered by parents who refuse to take their children for immunization due to religious believes.
“Another challenge we have been facing is from the many gated communities in the county where health workers are prevented from accessing the targeted children, Dr Mwangi said.
Mr Kabogo said his county government would require all children joining nursery schools to have polio clearance certificates before admission.
The third phase of the campaign will run for five days starting from today.