Parents in Lugari and Matete Sub-Counties have been asked to encourage their children from 12 years and above to accept Covid-19 vaccine as a new public health requirement.
Speaking during stakeholders meeting for Covid-19 accelerated vaccination Rapid Results Initiative Campaign, the health officials present said children in schools from 12 years should get consent from their parents before they are vaccinated.
Led by Lugari Sub-County Public Health Officer Mr. Patrick Kegode, they said the Department of Health is determined to keep more Kenyans safe from Covid-19 by vaccinating children from 12 years who are in school.
Kegode asked teachers led by the Sub-County Director of Education to reach parents of the children’s targeted age within 10 days Covid-19 RRI period.
“We are also targeting locals who are not yet vaccinated, those who didn’t get a second dose plus the need for 1st and 2nd boosters,” he added.
The public Health Official pleaded with the teachers to initiate positive messaging on Covid-19 vaccines on children with the targeted age so that parents are not discouraged from encouraging their children.
Kegode revealed that only 76,000 locals have so far been vaccinated and the 10 days Covid-19 RRI accelerated vaccination campaign starting on Tuesday aimed at raising the number towards reaching over 188, 000 to achieve a hundred percent coverage by December this year.
He called upon locals who have not gone for the Covid-19 second inoculation to do so within the 10 days RRI period.
The health official said seven health officials’ teams with each team in every Ward, will be moving in public meetings, schools, churches and any other public gatherings to give vaccines of Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson together with the boosters.
“We have enough vaccines and encourage our people that they are safe and manage to help people save adverse effects of Covid-19,” he said.
Kegode however noted that they would not accept campaigns overtaken by politicians to portray as if it was their funded initiative.
He emphasized that Covid-19 RRI Campaign banners will keep off being aligned to any politician to avoid misconception of the messaging.
Sheila Kiptum, Lugari Sub-County Public Health Promotion Officer insisted that for Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign to succeed, the stakeholders must lead by example by embracing the jabs and boosters.
Speaking on behalf of Lugari Deputy County Commissioner Moses Gicharu, Assistant County Commissioner 1 Mr. Evans Otieno said Chiefs and their Assistants have been instructed to ensure the Covid-19 fourth campaign cycle succeeds.
He also reiterated that the campaign stakeholders, Heads of Departments and their staffs should successfully complete 1st and Second doses including boosters.
The stakeholders meeting held at the Sub-County Administration Hall on Monday was attended by public health officials, Sub-County Director of Education Magdalene Igwatai and various Heads of Departments from National and County Governments.