Alarm over rising measles cases in Kwale as child vaccinations drop

Kwale County officials have expressed concern over a significant drop in vaccination rates among children. They fear that if this trend persists, it could undermine their ongoing efforts to reduce the mortality rate in children under five years.

The concern has prompted the launch of an urgent campaign in Matuga Constituency following a sharp rise in measles cases.

The latest statistics show six new cases were reported in local hospitals over the past week, prompting immediate action from health officials.

"The recent rise in measles cases has made it clear that we need to act quickly. Our main goal now is to ensure every child in our community receives the necessary vaccination," Matuga Disease Surveillance Coordinator Penina Omar said.

Measles, a highly contagious disease, predominantly affects children under five, a group particularly vulnerable in the region.

Current statistics indicate that over 4,000 children in Matuga have not received the routine vaccines.

"This figure is alarming and highlights the urgent need for our vaccination campaign," Omar said.

She said vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles and whopping cough and protect the children in the region.

"The vaccines are to protect the children but if they do not get them then it becomes easier for them to get diseases and die prematurely," she said.

The vaccination campaign which begins tomorrow (Saturday) lasts for one week and will include extensive community outreach.

Health officials plan to conduct door-to-door visits and host public awareness seminars to stress the importance of vaccination.

"We are mobilising all available resources to ensure that every child under five is vaccinated," Omar said.

The campaign will also involve local schools, religious organisations, and community leaders to maximise reach and impact. Residents have been urged to participate actively in the campaign.

"Parents and guardians must bring their children for vaccinations without delay. This is a collective effort to safeguard our community," Omar said.

The campaign will distribute informational materials in local languages to aid in understanding and participation.

"We are committed to ensuring that every community member understands the importance of vaccination and is empowered to make informed health decisions," Omar said.

Despite these efforts, misconceptions about vaccines persist. Some parents continue to hold beliefs that vaccines are harmful.

"We are addressing these misconceptions head-on through our outreach efforts, providing accurate information to dispel myths," Omar noted.

The local administration and security personnel have fully supported the campaign.

"We understand the critical importance of this initiative and are committed to assisting with its success," a senior officer from the Matuga security department stated.