Every child deserves a chance to live a full, healthy life. In Kenya, we have made commendable strides in child health, but one truth remains unchanged: Access to healthcare is not a privilege—it is a right. This is not just a lofty ideal, but a constitutional guarantee enshrined in our laws and international commitments. It is also a moral duty that we, as a society, must fulfill.
Vaccination is at the heart of this right. It is one of the most effective and affordable ways to protect our children from diseases that once caused immense suffering and death. Today, thanks to vaccines, illnesses like measles, rubella, and typhoid can be prevented before they take hold.
Kenya recently concluded one of the most ambitious vaccination campaigns in recent memory. The Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) and Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign reached millions of children aged nine months to 14 years, protecting them from serious illness and long-term complications. This was a tremendous achievement and a testament to what we can do when the health system, communities, and caregivers work together.
But the journey does not end with the close of a campaign. The TCV and MR vaccines are now part of Kenya’s routine immunisation schedule, available at health facilities across the country. This means caregivers who missed the campaign still have the opportunity to protect their children. I urge all parents and guardians to take advantage of this and ensure their children are fully vaccinated.
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Immunisation remains a collective responsibility. It begins with caregivers taking children for their scheduled vaccinations—but it also requires strong community support. Leaders at all levels must continue to raise awareness. Health workers must remain committed and supported. The media must help spread accurate information. And all stakeholders must work together to build trust and confidence in vaccines.
We are living in an era where vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation and disinformation, poses a real threat to public health. Rumours and falsehoods—often spread through social media—can undo decades of progress. We must all commit to being ambassadors of truth, science, and child health. Let us challenge myths, counter lies with facts, and remind each other that vaccines save lives.
The Kenya Paediatric Association stands firmly in support of routine immunisation. We call upon parents, teachers, religious and political leaders, and the entire healthcare system to maintain the momentum. Every child deserves protection, not just during campaigns but every day of the year.
When children are healthy, they are more likely to attend school, perform well academically, and grow into productive adults. We have a task, as a nation, to ensure that every child has the best start in life. Immunisation plays a critical role in making that happen.
And let us remember: Health is wealth. A healthy child brings peace of mind to a family. A healthy population drives economic growth. Immunisation is not an expense—it is an investment, one that yields immeasurable returns for families, communities, and the nation. Vaccines are available throughout life course; childhood, adolescence, adulthood and in old age.
To every caregiver: If your child missed the campaign, do not worry. Visit your nearest health facility and get them vaccinated against typhoid and measles-rubella. The vaccines are safe, effective, and free.
To every leader: Your influence matters. Speak up in support of vaccines. Help foster a climate of trust and care.
To every Kenyan: This is our shared responsibility. Let us protect our children. Let us invest in their future. Let us act now.
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By Dr Supa Tunje