More than half a million vulnerable children under the age of five have been immunized against measles and polio in the first phase of a life-saving vaccination campaign in Kenya's Central and North Eastern Provinces.

In a press release available here on Thursday, the UN children's fund UNICEF and partners said they hope to reach and immunize around 5.5 million children during two phases and stem a recent measles outbreak, which has seen more than 1,600 cases and 42 child deaths in the last six months.

Seventy percent of the children in most of the countries neighboring Kenya have not been immunized, leading to outbreaks in places where immigrants seek refuge.

To reduce the risk of cross-border infection, UNICEF said it has opened a clinic in Kenya's Somali hub where, refugee mothers are encouraged to take their children for vaccination.

The campaign seeks to reach 95 percent of vulnerable children in the two targeted provinces.

"In addition to the measles and polio vaccines, children under five receive vitamin A supplements that further boost their immunity. Research shows that vitamin A can reduce infant mortality by 25 percent," it said.

To reach such a large number of children, UNICEF and its partners have recruited social mobilization teams that are spreading the word about the free vaccinations.

This effort is especially important in the North Eastern Province, where most of the population is nomadic and would otherwise remain unaware of the campaign.

Mobilizers broadcast campaign information on radio programs, banners and posters, through loudspeakers from cars and during individual home visits.

UNICEF has pledged 3.47 million dollars and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) is donating 3.33 million dollars to support the immunization drive.

But the Kenyan government will need a total of 27.7 million dollars to successfully vaccinate all children between nine months and five years of age against measles and polio in the two phases.

Kenya, which launched a national immunization program in 2002, is considered a role model for its neighbors.

It reduced its number of measles cases from 7,000 in 2002 to 20 in 2004 and organizers hope for a similar success with the current campaign.

Source: Xinhua