Kenya vaccinates 3.7 mln children against polio

NAIROBI, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) — At least 3.71 million children under the age of 10 have been vaccinated against polio in Kenya as part of the government’s latest effort to stop the disease, health authorities said Friday.
Deborah Barasa, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Health, said in a statement issued on Friday night that the vaccination took place in nine counties identified as vulnerable, including the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
“The ministry successfully conducted a polio vaccination campaign from Oct. 2 to 6 following confirmation of the poliovirus in the Turkana, Nairobi, and Mbale regions bordering Kenya,” Barasa said.
Polio is a disabling disease caused by the poliovirus, which can lead to paralysis and, in some cases, may be life-threatening.
According to Barasa, Kenya is planning a second round of vaccinations from Nov. 9 to 13.
The campaigns are carried out in collaboration with various partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO, Kenya, like other countries in the Horn of Africa, remains at risk of imported wild poliovirus from neighboring war-torn countries with health system challenges that prevent the vaccination of all children. ■