Immunization against polio in Marigat District

By Irene Yemit, Paul Marutit and Joyce Okuta

In Marigat District the polio immunization exercise kicked off on Saturday 16^Th November 2013, in various health facilities and house to house campaign targeting about 15,000 children from different locations.

According to the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation in Marigat, the first three rounds of polio vaccine was  conducted  in specific counties since 14 cases had been reported in Kenyan borders of Somalia and Southern Sudan. Out of these were 2 adult cases, this has necessitated the ministry to conduct a series of polio campaign to selected high risk districts.

Health worker administering polio immunization

The vaccine is different from the routine one because it is specifically for World Polio Virus; it also consists of some antibiotics to boost the immune system for children less than 5 years of age. 

However as the ministry is taking charge in their undertakings they face challenges like coverage in the rural areas which are sparsely populated thus hindering accessibility.

Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Marigat cited a case whereby officers were unable to effectively dispense their duty due to cultural beliefs.

“The the community needs to be enlightened on health education to understand the effects of polio because it has no cure.” Said Seth Maganga, Public Health Officer. 

Mr. Maganga reiterated that, Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by polio virus that invades the nervous system causing paralysis or death.

Transmission is primarily person to person via the faecaloral route, i.e. the poliovirus multiplies in the intestines and is spread through the faeces. The virus is intermittently excreted to one month or more after infection.

The symptoms of polio are; Fever, Fatigue, Headache, Vomiting, Stiffness in the neck and Pain in the limbs.

The government is also doing much to protect Kenya’s children against polio by surveillance for polio through active case search for detection, reporting and investigating suspected cases of acute flaccid paralysis. 

The public is requested to report to the nearest health facility and any child below 15 years who develops sudden onset of weakness of arms and legs.

To eradicate polio, one must ensure that all children under 5 years are vaccinated during the immunization period. LETS ALL KEEP KENYA POLIO FREE.