RAINS CAUSE HAVOC DURING MEASLES CAMPAIGN VACCINATION

Following the just concluded nation wide measles campaign vaccination, it has been revealed that the ongoing rains across the nation tampered heavily with most vaccination activities in the first two days of the five day campaign period in the Kiambu district hospital.

Speaking to KNA in her office the District Public Health Nurse (DPHN) Mrs Margaret Gathecha said that during the first two days after the official launch of the measles vaccination campaign, the vaccination center received low turn out of children who were expected to report to the center for vaccination. She majorly blamed the poor weather for this stating that the rains were on off thus disorganizing the programmes and activities planned for the day.

Mrs Gathecha further added that the low turn out was because of the poor social mobilization as most people claimed that they were not aware of the campaign. She said that to counter that, the ministry of public health and sanitation involved the indulgence of the heads of schools through the area District Education Officer(DEO), the chiefs, through the churches to communicate the message to the public. She said that they also visited the early childhood centers (ECDs) to vaccinate the children from there.

She disclosed that after their efforts to inform the public on the campaign measles, the response was positive as parents turned out in large numbers to bring their children for vaccination. She admitted that for the last three days of the vaccination period it had been hectic as they were overwhelmed by the high turn out of the parents with children for vaccination.

Mrs Gathecha stated that for those who never got the communication from them did it from the community health workers who went round from door to door sensitizing the public on the importance of vaccinating their children against measles. She explained that the initiative was nation wide and therefore it was not possible for them to go door to door administering the vaccine and vitamin A.

She however cited that it was quite unfortunate for the physically challenged children who in one way or another missed out on the vaccination as she said that it was beyond their limit and reach. She thus urged parents with those special cases to be responsible enough in future for their children to ensure they get such vaccinations which are usually free and government initiatives.

The measles campaign vaccination which lasted for five days was launched at the Kiambu district hospital on 3^rd November 2012 and ended on 7^th November 2012. The campaign had targeted children aged between 6months to five years, those aged 6months to five years were to receive vitamin A. This had been a government initiative to counter measles outbreak which had claimed the life of a 14 year old boy in Naivasha.

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