Video: How Kenya is prioritising routine immunisation services during the COVID-19 pandemic 

The Ministry of Health in Kenya is recommending that all parents bring their children for vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect them and also to prevent additional outbreaks. Mask wearing, physical distancing and handwashing are used to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 so that these vaccination sessions can take place safely, so that children can be protected from other infectious diseases, such as measles, polio and rotavirus.

Mothers like Sarah Adhiambo in Mathare North, Nairobi, are encouraging other parents and caregivers to bring their children in for immunisation with the message that “mothers like me shouldn’t be afraid to bring their babies to the clinic to get their immunisation due to COVID-19.” 

Nurse Lucy Naivasha says parents “are not coming to the clinic the way they used to come” before the pandemic and outlines the importance of community outreach services to increase vaccine coverage.

Watch UNICEF Kenya’s video to learn more