By Veronicah Stellah
Date:21st May 2024
Mounting pressure is on the Ministry of Health (MoH) to address severe shortages of vital vaccines affecting public health facilities across the country. In a letter dated May 16th, the Council of Governors (CoG) raised alarm over the stockouts of essential vaccines persisting in all 47 counties for the past three months.
The Chairperson of the CoG, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, lamented the critical shortage of essential vaccines and urged the Ministry to take immediate action. Excerpts from the letter, obtained by the Nation, emphasized the pivotal role vaccines play in healthcare, preventing vaccine-preventable diseases, reducing mortality rates, safeguarding vulnerable populations, and minimizing healthcare expenditures.
The governors highlighted shortages of vaccines routinely administered to newborns and children under five, including polio (OPV & IPV), BCG (for tuberculosis), MR (measles rubella), rotavirus, and tetanus diphtheria vaccines. Reports indicate that the MoH last procured the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine 10 months ago, while the BCG vaccine, crucial in preventing tuberculosis, has not been procured in eight months.
The BCG vaccine is a mandatory requirement for all children born in Kenya under the Kenya Expanded Programme Immunization (KEPI) schedule and is listed as essential by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Rotavirus vaccine, administered between weeks six and 10, is particularly crucial in sub-Saharan African countries like Kenya, protecting children from severe diarrhoea caused by rotavirus.
The urgency of vaccine availability is underscored by recent cases of polio reported in Garissa County and the continued threat of measles, with 295 cases reported in Turkana West last year.
Acknowledging the severity of the shortage, the MoH revealed a multi-pronged approach to address it. This includes the redistribution of current stocks by the National Vaccines and Immunisation Program (NVIP) to ensure eligible children receive vaccinations during this critical period. Additionally, the MoH has allocated Sh250 million to expedite the procurement of routine antigens and restock critical vaccines, with shipments expected in Kenya by the first week of June.
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