The Nakuru County Department of Health has taken steps to align with the national rollout of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) by conducting training for Sub-County Health Management Teams (SCHMTs) on how to integrate the vaccine into the county’s routine immunization schedule.

The training aimed to equip the SCHMTs with the technical knowledge required for effective implementation of the TCV program. Once trained, the SCHMTs will cascade the knowledge to healthcare workers in all public and private health facilities within Nakuru County. This approach is expected to ensure uniform understanding of the vaccine’s administration guidelines and coverage targets.

According to the new schedule, the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine will be administered to children at the age of nine months, alongside the Measles-Rubella vaccine. This integration is designed to improve efficiency in the delivery of childhood immunizations and strengthen disease prevention efforts.

The training was led by County Chief Nurse, Wendy Tirop, who underscored the need for prompt knowledge transfer to healthcare workers across the county. She noted that timely dissemination of the information would ensure that the vaccine reaches eligible children without delay once the rollout begins.

County Director for Public Health, Elizabeth Kiptoo, reaffirmed the county’s commitment to the TCV rollout. She assured the health teams that the Department of Health would provide the necessary support to facilitate successful implementation, including coordination with the national Ministry of Health, adequate vaccine supply management, and monitoring of vaccination coverage.

The introduction of the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine is part of a broader public health initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of typhoid fever, which remains a public health concern in many parts of Kenya. By adding the TCV to the routine immunization schedule, the county aims to strengthen preventive healthcare services and reduce the burden of the disease on households and health systems.

The Department of Health will continue working with community health volunteers, local leaders, and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the vaccine and encourage parents and guardians to ensure their children are vaccinated at the recommended age.