Rotarians Fight to End Polio in Kenya’s Emergency Polio Vaccination Exercise
In an inspiring display of community-driven action, the Rotary Club of Kikuyu has emerged as a vital force in Kenya’s fight against polio. Collaborating with the Ministry of Health, the club’s contribution to the emergency polio vaccination campaign has brought about significant impact and heartwarming moments.
Partnering with the Ongata Rongai Level 4 Hospital, the Rotary Club of Kikuyu embarked on joining in Rotary District 9212’s drive to participate in the polio vaccination exercise. Their efforts went beyond conventional strategies through the compassionate touch of providing milk and snacks to children visiting the hospital for vaccination. The approach aimed not only to ensure the children’s health but also to infuse a sense of comfort and positivity into the process.
The target by the Ministry of Health for the Kajiado North region was an ambitious 60,683 children under the age of 5. On the launch day of the campaign at Ongata Rongai Hospital, 207 children received the polio vaccine, signaling a promising start to the initiative.
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has been vigilant in its approach, recognizing the challenges posed by the recent cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2. With meticulous mapping efforts, the Ministry aimed to identify and cover both formal and non-formal crossing points, ensuring even hard-to-reach populations were included in the vaccination drive.
The polio vaccination campaign was structured over three rounds, with the first round successfully conducted across multiple counties including Garissa, Nairobi, Kajiado, and Kiambu. The subsequent rounds were set to cover a broader range of ten counties, showcasing the comprehensive nature of the initiative.
Globally, the fight against polio has seen remarkable progress. Since November 2022, there have been no new wild poliovirus cases reported worldwide. While a few cases of vaccine-derived polio have emerged, this highlights the effectiveness of continuous vaccination efforts.
Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, remains a significant global concern, particularly affecting children. The collaborative efforts of organizations such as Rotary International have made substantial strides in tackling this issue. Supported by crucial partners including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and various governments, Rotary International’s commitment has led to the vaccination of 2.5 billion children across 122 countries, resulting in a remarkable 99.9% reduction in global polio cases.
As the campaign progresses, the collective efforts of these organizations and individuals bring renewed hope in the fight against a disease that once posed a significant threat to global health.
