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Kakamega county has exceeded child vaccination targets according to data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey of 2022.

Seven of every ten children aged between one and two years are vaccinated in the county.

This is way above the national average which stood at 53 per cent, according to the data.

The data also revealed that nine out of ten children within the same age were fully vaccinated, exceeding the national performance which is eight out of ten.

The county’s total vaccination coverage was 73 per cent, one of the highest in country. This, thanks to robust vaccination programs in the county which have ensured children are protected from preventable diseases, according to the report.

Notable shift

The data showed that men in the county were more heavily involved in providing care for expectant mothers, a notable shift from traditional principles that believe maternal health care is woman’s responsibility.

Commercial insurance

The report by KDHS shows that 79 per cent of men or seven out of ten men aged between 15-49 accompanied their women to health facilities.

Additionally, nine out of ten families reported that their child was born in a health facility.

The demand for family planning in Kakamega is also high with six out of ten women aged 14-49 using either the modern method or pills.

Two in ten women in the county use injectables and implants, while only a small percentage, approximately two per cent use male condoms, the report shows.

Another six per cent use any traditional method for family planning.

Despite these strides, nine out of ten households in the county lack a health insurance coverage. Only two out of ten homes had any health insurance while four percent had private or commercial insurance, and one per cent with community-based insurance coverage.