Data from the Ministry of Health shows that at least 400,000 children in 26 sub-counties have received at least one dose of the malaria vaccine since its official rollout in 2019.
The RTSS jab was rolled out in 26 subcounties in Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Busia, Bungom a, Vihiga and Kakamega counties.
Over one million doses of the four-dose malaria vaccine has been administrated to children across eight counties since its roll out.
The jab is only eligible to children under five years and will get four doses from six months of age to the last dose at 24 months.
The Ministry says since the malaria vaccine was introduced in Kenya in 2019, the areas where it is available have witnessed a substantial drop in children being hospitalized and reductions in child deaths.
“Over the past three years, we’ve seen a dramatic reduction in the number of malaria cases and hospitalisations from malaria in areas where the vaccine has been administered,” Health CS Susan Wafula said.
The ministry is scaling up the jab uptake by enrolling an additional 25 subcounties within the eight lake-endemic counties with an aim of reaching as many children as possible.
The vaccines is administered in four doses, first dose is given at six months of age, and the fourth dose at two years of age.
The Ministry reports that the vaccine has been well accepted in communities, with demand remaining high even when additional visits to clinics by caregivers and children are required.
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