Vaccination Rates Improve After Community Outreach

Kenyan health officials report a notable uptick in child vaccination rates following a strong push by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and community partners. In recent months, the MoH, together with PATH and county governments, has held outreach meetings with civil society groups, religious leaders, and local organizations to dispel myths and encourage immunisation.In a separate nationwide campaign, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale flagged off 6.2 million doses of BCG and oral polio vaccine, aimed especially at underserved areas, which has helped close coverage gaps.
In several counties, coordinated community engagement has been central to the success of the drive. For example, Vihiga County reported an 88% uptake in its measles‑rubella and typhoid vaccination campaign, crediting local health workers and community volunteers who set up vaccination booths in markets, churches, and schools. In West Pokot, mobile outreach teams run by the county — supported by Rotary and Action Against Hunger — have been delivering vaccines in hard-to-reach areas, while newly installed solar-powered cold chain equipment ensures that the doses remain effective.Stakeholders say that combining social mobilisation with practical logistics is making it easier to reach children who previously missed immunisation appointments.
Public health experts and county leaders are welcoming the progress as a positive sign, but they warn that sustaining high coverage will require ongoing investment. In Uasin Gishu, health officials say that reaching 82% full immunisation coverage for children was possible because of grassroots mobilisation — yet they caution that vaccine hesitancy and misinformation remain threats. Going forward, the Ministry of Health plans to strengthen its outreach strategy by working with community health volunteers, religious leaders, and local organizations to follow up with defaulters, ensure continuity, and safeguard Kenyan children from preventable illnesses.