Measles is a highly contagious virus. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection.
An outbreak of measles has been reported in Malindi
Sub-County, amid concerns over low childhood immunisation coverage that local
health officials warn could expose the community to more epidemics.
At least
four children have been reported to have contracted measles in the Shella area
of Malindi town, with health officials saying they are conducting a mop-up
exercise and administering repeat measles vaccine doses to those who may have
missed out in the recent campaign.
Sub-county
Public Health Officer Alex Maitha said, despite recent vaccination campaigns, a
significant number of children have not received the recommended two doses of
the measles-rubella vaccine.
“Our immunisation
coverage is very low, and we are already witnessing a measles outbreak in
Malindi, with several cases reported. We are conducting mop-up exercises,
moving door-to-door and to schools to give booster doses where children have
missed out,” Maitha said.
Speaking during an
immunisation sensitisation workshop for community leaders at a Malindi hotel,
Maitha noted that while the government-led campaign on measles, rubella, and
typhoid vaccines had improved coverage slightly, the targets were not met.
“If children do
not get vaccinated as required, we face the real danger of frequent outbreaks
of preventable diseases,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, the
officer warned about the spread of Mpox, citing two samples taken for analysis
in Kilifi County and 140 cases registered in neighbouring Mombasa County.
“Mpox
spreads quickly through skin contact. If a vaccine is introduced, we must
embrace it, knowing that we are already facing an outbreak,” he added.
On
the other hand, Sub-county Nursing Services Coordinator Esther Kasichana echoed
the concern, pointing out that uptake of the HPV vaccine against cervical
cancer in Malindi stands at less than 10 per cent.
“This
performance is not good. Many parents and even some teachers still hesitate
when health workers bring vaccines to schools. We need to create awareness so
that caregivers understand the importance of vaccines, especially for children
under five,” Kasichana said.
Sub-county
Immunisation Coordinator John Karisa urged parents to take advantage of the 23
health facilities in Malindi that offer routine vaccines, from BCG at birth to
HPV for girls aged 10–14 years.
“By
July, our coverage was at just 35 per cent against a target of 90 per cent by
December. We call on all stakeholders and parents to take responsibility
because health is a shared duty,” Karisa said.
Religious
leaders have also thrown their weight behind the campaign.
Famau
Mohammed Famau, a Malindi cleric, dismissed myths and misconceptions about
vaccines, urging parents to act responsibly.
“There is no harm in taking children for vaccination. Religious leaders
strongly oppose false beliefs that discourage immunisation. Parents must take
full responsibility and protect their children,” he said.
Health officials
are now banking on continued community sensitisation and stakeholder
involvement to reverse the poor performance and shield Malindi residents from
preventable disease outbreaks.