Duale rolls out nationwide Measles-Rubella and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine campaign
By Nancy Marende, July 5, 2025The government, through the Ministry of Health, has rolled out an Integrated Measles-Rubella & Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Campaign to ensure that no child is left vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.
In a statement on Saturday, July 5, 2025, the Ministry of Health announced that the campaign will run from July 5, 2025, to July 14, 2025, across all 47 countries.
Further, the ministry stated that the campaign targets children aged 9 months to 59 months for the measles-rubella vaccine and children aged 9 months to 14 years for the typhoid conjugate vaccine.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale presided over the launch at Githogoro Grounds, Westlands, accompanied by Principal Secretaries Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Mary Muthoni (Public Health), Director General for Health Patrick Amoth, Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi, Nairobi County CEC for Health Suzanne Silantoi, senior MOH officials, and partners from WHO, UNICEF, PATH Kenya, and Gavi.
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Speaking in Nairobi on July 4, 2025, Patrick Amoth, Director-General of the Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of the campaign in securing the health of children.
“Today’s campaign is more than a health intervention. It is a bold commitment to our children’s future. A shared investment in health, equity, and prosperity for generations.”
Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine
He stated that the country has over 100,000 typhoid cases annually; it mostly affects people living in informal settlements, especially children.
The newly introduced Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is set to protect this vulnerable population, with the ministry hoping to vaccinate 15 million children.
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“Typhoid fever remains a persistent and entirely preventable burden. It affects children and communities without clean water and sanitation. This vaccine marks a turning point; with just a single dose, the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) will provide up to five years of protection. It is safe, effective, and tailored for the young population most at risk.”
Similarly, Rose Jalang’ó, Head of the National Vaccines and Immunisation Programme (NVIP), emphasised the importance of achieving full vaccine coverage to provide proper immunity, as the country lags behind in second-dose coverage at 60%.
She stated that this is below the World Health Organisation’s recommended 95% threshold needed to interrupt transmission.
“Our first-dose coverage is at 83%, and the second dose is at 60%. This leaves many children vulnerable and explains the sporadic outbreaks we have witnessed,” she said.
TCV will be integrated into the routine immunisation program after this vaccination campaign.