WHO applauds Kenya for successful polio vaccination campaign! The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended the Kenyan government for successfully vaccinating over 920,000 children against polio in high-risk counties.
The mass vaccination campaign, conducted in February 2025, targeted North Eastern counties, including Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir, and Garissa, areas considered highly prone to polio outbreaks.
Additionally, 17,000 children in border regions also received the vaccine as part of the initiative to prevent the spread of the disease.
Kenya’s Commitment to Eradicating Polio
The Ministry of Health launched the polio vaccination campaign as part of the second phase of its mass immunization efforts aimed at protecting children in high-risk areas.
WHO applauds Kenya
The campaign took place from February 21 to 25, 2025, and was driven by concerns over recent polio cases near the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
According to Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, the campaign was prompted by an outbreak in Ethiopia in October 2024, when a case of type 2 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV2) was detected just 15 kilometers from the Kenyan border in Moyale.
“It is important to note that any confirmed case of polio indicates that more than 200 unreported cases may exist, highlighting the importance of enhanced surveillance and public health response measures to prevent any potential spread,” Muthoni emphasized.
This outbreak led to the immediate deployment of urgent health measures, including enhanced surveillance, public health awareness, and mass vaccinations in affected regions.
Collaboration with Neighboring Countries
The February 2025 vaccination exercise was part of a larger cross-border health initiative aimed at eliminating polio from the region.
In December 2024, Kenya participated in another coordinated campaign with neighboring countries, ensuring that children along the borders received protection against the disease.
Real-time data tracking and cross-border collaboration played a crucial role in the success of the campaign, allowing health officials to monitor progress and identify areas requiring additional resources.
The next phase of the polio vaccination drive is scheduled to take place in April 2025, continuing efforts to protect vulnerable children and prevent future outbreaks.
Understanding Polio and Its Risks
Polio (poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. It spreads through person-to-person contact, especially via the fecal-oral route or through contaminated food and water.
Symptoms of Polio
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Mild Symptoms (75% of cases are asymptomatic)
- Fever
- Sore throat
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Severe Symptoms
- Headache
- Neck stiffness
- Paresthesia (abnormal sensations like tingling or numbness)
- Paralysis in extreme cases
Polio can cause permanent disability or even death if it reaches the nervous system and affects muscle control.
The Importance of Vaccination
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent polio, and global efforts continue to eliminate the disease completely.
The success of Kenya’s latest vaccination drive highlights the government’s commitment to public health and disease prevention. By ensuring that children in high-risk areas receive the polio vaccine, Kenya is taking a critical step toward eradicating polio and protecting future generations.
