Child Immunization Issue and Vaccines situation in Kenya @MinHealthKE

Dear Citizen Advocates, Greetings from KANCO Secretariat in this new month September 1, 2015. Aren’t we glad that we are alive to continue making the world a better place? In August 24, 2015 KANCO sent out the attached Action Sheet. It highlights the Child Immunization Issue for our advocacy from Sept to Nov 2015. We hope that the issue has geared you up for some action. The latest statistics illustrates that more than 400,000 Kenyan children are not fully protected from lifesaving vaccines despite them being relatively cost effective and has the highest impact on Kenya’s economy. Imagine as children, if you and I were not vaccinated against diseases like diarrhoea, whooping cough, TB and polio. The reality in Kenya is that more children are not being vaccinated every year. The UNICEF report reveals that a new-born in Kenya and Burundi has the lowest chance in East Africa of surviving to celebrate their 5th birthday! Vaccines in Kenya has faced a lot of controversies lately further depriving the children the right to access vaccines. However, these controversies were settled. The Catholic Church softened its position and said that the vaccines are safe. Pope Francis will come before the end of the year to reiterate the same. The Ministry of Health which is the major Authority says the vaccines are safe. Nonetheless, children’s rights to lifesaving vaccines are being violated. We are advocating on behalf of children who cannot access the vaccines by themselves. We are asking the Government to prioritize child health in Kenya. Please read the attached action sheet for more information. Consider taking action today so as to save a whole generation. Kenya’s vision 2030 is depends on a people that are healthy. If we save the lives of children now, they will live long enough to realize vision 2030 on their 15th birthday. But currently we are grappling with the fact that only 68% of the children are accessing vaccines, it is even worse in Mandera where only 27.7% of the children are fully protected from vaccine preventable illnesses. A whole generation wiped out and denied the right to live. Take action NOW, invite your group members. We are looking forward to your reports on the action you have taken. Sincerely, JOYCE MATOGO