Over 3.5 million children have received the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine and another 12.1 million have been immunized against typhoid so far — this is according to the Ministry of Health, which is spearheading the nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) campaign that kicked off on July 5, 2025.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, in a statement to newsrooms, termed the uptake a “strong national response,” commending parents, guardians, health workers, religious leaders, and community mobilisers for the overwhelming support across Kenya’s 47 counties.
The campaign targets 6.5 million children for MR and 19.2 million for TCV, with vaccines being administered not just in public health facilities but also at schools, churches, mosques, markets, and other community hubs. Additionally, trained outreach teams are visiting households and local centres to reach all eligible children.
“Notably, over 4,000 zero-dose children—those who had never received any vaccines—have now been reached and protected with both MR and TCV vaccines, significantly strengthening our national population immunity,” said CS Duale.
He further assured the public that the vaccines in use are approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and have undergone thorough international and local safety reviews. “These are the same vaccines protecting millions of children globally,” he stated.
According to the Ministry, the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) is now part of Kenya’s routine immunization schedule and will be administered to all children at 9 months of age going forward. TCV provides strong protection against drug-resistant Salmonella Typhi, which causes typhoid fever.
The WHO recommends TCV for children aged 6 months and above in typhoid-endemic areas—particularly in regions with poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and among populations at high risk, including travelers.
This promising rollout comes in the wake of recent concerns over vaccine shortages across hospitals and health centers. CS Duale assured the public that the situation has been addressed following a Ksh 4.9 billion allocation by the National Treasury in the 2025/26 Financial Year, dedicated significantly to vaccine procurement and supply chain stabilization.
“We urge all parents and caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated before the campaign ends. This is a national duty. It is not just about protecting your child but your community,” Duale emphasized.
The Ministry has reiterated its commitment to achieving full immunization coverage and continues to urge local leaders, clergy, health volunteers, and civil society to rally their communities to participate in the remaining days of the campaign.
