Experts Praise Success of Community Immunization Drives

Health experts have lauded recent community immunization campaigns across Kenya, describing them as a game-changer for increasing vaccine coverage and reaching hard-to-reach populations. In Wajir County, for example, trained Community Health Promoters (CHPs) regularly visit nomadic households, actively tracking defaulters and reconnecting children to vaccination services. Their consistent engagement has led to a marked decline in missed doses.
According to officials from the Ministry of Health, Kenya has achieved over 80% immunization coverage, thanks in part to outreach strategies that combine strong community mobilization with investments in cold-chain equipment. These efforts were boosted by the rollout of 2,000 new cold storage units donated by UNICEF, which are helping keep vaccines viable in remote regions.
In Migori County, local leaders and public health officers celebrated a drive that administered Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccines to school-aged children. The initiative was praised not only for its scale but also for its collaborative approach, involving stakeholders like UNICEF and Lwala Community Alliance to reach children in all 40 wards.
Experts also emphasize that sustainable immunization gains in Kenya are rooted in partnerships and system strengthening. According to WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, Kenya’s Big Catch-up effort in July 2025 vaccinated more than 16 million children against measles, rubella, and typhoid — a testament to the power of coordinated public health action.