More than 8.2 million children have received measles-rubella vaccines in a nationwide campaign aimed at strengthening protection against the two highly infectious diseases.
The Ministry of Health said 8,285,835 children aged between nine and 59 months were vaccinated during the five-day campaign conducted from October 1 to 5, 2026.
The figure represents 108.8 percent of the national target of 7,616,746 children, meaning that 669,089 more children were reached than initially planned.
Prof. Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, said the additional vaccinations were intended to strengthen children’s protection amid ongoing measles and rubella outbreaks.
He said the campaign provided an additional dose of the measles-rubella vaccine to eligible children, including those who had previously received the vaccine.
The Ministry attributed the achievement to the efforts of health workers, Village Health Teams, district health teams and community mobilisers who travelled to remote communities to deliver vaccination services.
“The Ministry pays special tribute to health workers, Village Health Teams, district teams and community mobilisers who travelled long distances, navigated difficult terrain and reached remote communities to deliver vaccination services. Their dedication helped ensure that location was no barrier to reaching children,” Olaro said.
He also thanked parents and caregivers for taking their children for vaccination, as well as local leaders, schools, religious and cultural institutions, development and implementing partners, and the media for supporting the campaign.
Although the mass vaccination exercise has ended, the Ministry said routine immunisation services will continue.
Parents and caregivers whose children missed the campaign have been advised to contact the nearest health facility for guidance.
The Ministry further urged parents to continue following the routine immunisation schedule for their children as part of efforts to sustain protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
