Kenya launches 10-day vaccination drive to curb typhoid, measles outbreaks among children

The Ministry of Health has rolled out a nationwide immunisation campaign targeting children, aiming to curb the spread of drug-resistant typhoid and contain rising measles-rubella outbreaks reported across several counties.

The campaign, which will run from July 5 to 14, 2025, will target children aged 9 months to 14 years for typhoid vaccination and those between 9 and 59 months for measles-rubella.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the campaign responds to a worrying surge in antimicrobial-resistant typhoid, with children under 15 years bearing the greatest burden and those under five facing the highest risk of death.

He warned that the spread of drug-resistant typhoid, fuelled by climate change and rapid urbanisation, poses a growing public health threat.

“Vaccination has proven to be a powerful tool in stopping this disease,” Duale said.

The Ministry also revealed that measles outbreaks have been confirmed in 18 counties, with 2,949 cases and 18 deaths reported between January 2024 and February 2025.

Duale noted that poor uptake of the second dose of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine, which is administered at 18 months, has left many children vulnerable.

To address the twin health risks, the Ministry, with support from county governments and development partners, will roll out a supplementary immunisation activity (SIA) targeting the most at-risk age groups.

Children aged 9 to 59 months will receive the measles-rubella vaccine, while children aged 9 months to 14 years will receive the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV).

Following the campaign, the Ministry of Health will introduce TCV into Kenya’s routine childhood immunisation schedule, administered at 9 months of age.

“This rollout is a firm demonstration of the Kenyan government’s commitment to ensuring that no child dies from a vaccine-preventable disease. We will not relent until every child, in every village and town, is protected through timely vaccination,” Duale said.

The government is targeting 95 per cent coverage for the MR vaccine and 80 per cent coverage for the TCV, rallying nationwide support to meet these goals.

“We call on parents, caregivers, and communities to ensure every eligible child is vaccinated. We also urge our county health teams, faith leaders, and partners to mobilise and make this campaign a success,” the Ministry said.

“Our goal is clear: 95 per cent MR coverage and 80 per cent TCV coverage. No child should suffer or die from diseases we can prevent.”

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