A nurse holding a BCG vaccine/FREEPIK.COMThe Ministry of Health has acknowledged its vaccine stock levels are decreasing and immunisation efforts across the country are facing challenges with some counties already experiencing shortages.
Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga said in a statement that the tuberculosis vaccine (BCG) and polio vaccine stocks are just two weeks’ supply remaining, while the rotavirus vaccine has a one-month supply left.
Alarmingly, 12 out of the country’s 47 counties have completely run out of vaccine stocks.
Despite the alarming news, Oluga has assured the public that efforts are being made to mitigate the shortage.
“We have put in place the Zero-Dose Catch-Up Mechanism under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to ensure that no child misses a single dose of any vaccine," he said.
He said the ministry is actively redistributing available vaccines in collaboration with county governments to ensure equitable access nationwide.
“We appreciate the ongoing cooperation of county governments and healthcare facilities in managing this situation,” Oluga added.
The shortages are primarily attributed to global vaccine supply bottlenecks affecting several countries, including Kenya.
To address the issue, Ouma said the ministry is implementing a number of interventions.
Approximately 3.2 million doses of the polio vaccine are expected to be cleared at the port and ready for distribution by June 10, he said.
Additionally, three million doses of the BCG vaccine are anticipated to arrive and be distributed by June 15.
Moreover, Oluga highlighted the ministry’s commitment to long-term solutions.
“We are establishing a Strategic Vaccine Reserve in all 47 counties through a programme that will be sustainably financed and efficiently operated," he said.
The ministry reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding the health of all Kenyans despite the current challenges.
BCG vaccine protects against tuberculosis, while the oral and inactivated polio vaccines are essential in the global effort to eradicate poliomyelitis.
The country has maintained a high immunisation coverage over the years, but recent stockouts had threatened to reverse some of the gains made in child health.
The Ministry’s swift response and the commitment to restore supply chains are expected to stabilise immunisation services in the coming weeks.
