The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
The Ministry of Health has confirmed a decline in vaccine stocks across Kenya, with some counties already facing critical shortages that are disrupting immunisation services.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
In an official statement, Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga disclosed that the country’s reserves of key vaccines such as BCG (for tuberculosis) and polio are nearing depletion, with only about two weeks’ worth of supply remaining.
The rotavirus vaccine is projected to last just one more month.
Currently, 12 out of Kenya’s 47 counties have completely exhausted their vaccine supplies.
Despite the concerning situation, Dr. Oluga assured the public that urgent measures are underway to address the crisis.
“To ensure that no child misses essential vaccines, we have launched the Zero-Dose Catch-Up Mechanism under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” he said.
The ministry is also working closely with county governments to redistribute the limited vaccines more equitably across the country.
“We are grateful for the continued collaboration with counties and health facilities during this period,” Oluga added.
The shortage is largely blamed on global vaccine supply chain disruptions that are affecting numerous countries, including Kenya.
To mitigate the impact, the ministry has announced the following steps:
- 3.2 million doses of polio vaccine are expected to be cleared from the port and distributed by June 10.
- Three million doses of BCG vaccine are set to arrive and be dispatched by June 15.
Dr. Oluga also outlined a longer-term strategy to improve vaccine resilience, including the establishment of a Strategic Vaccine Reserve in all 47 counties. This initiative aims to be sustainably funded and efficiently managed to prevent future stockouts.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health, particularly that of children, despite the temporary supply challenges.
Vaccines like BCG and polio are vital to Kenya’s public health success, and while the country has historically maintained strong immunisation coverage, the recent shortages pose a risk to progress in child health.
Nonetheless, the Ministry’s proactive steps to replenish supplies and stabilise distribution networks are expected to restore regular immunisation services in the near future.
