Polio and BCG vaccines that were received by MOH PS Dr. Ouma Oluga. Photo: Ouma Oluga X.
The country received the long anticipated arrival of life- saving vaccines, which was causing panic among families after months of shortage, which left thousands of children across the country unprotected.
Health Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Ouma Oluga officially received the shipment of 3.2 million doses of oral polio vaccine and 3 million doses of BCG vaccination, on Wednesday, 11 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Oluga was in company of Dr. Bashir Issak, Director of Family Health, and Dr. Rose Jalango, Head of the National Vaccines and Immunization Programme (NVIP), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO).
He confirmed the shortage of the crucial vaccines in the country, further mentioning that 12 counties had run completely out of the vaccines, with the remaining 35 counties having stock that could last for at least 10 days.
“We have had some serious challenges with children’s vaccines in the country, especially oral polio and BCG, twelve counties had completely run out of vaccines, and 35 others were left with stocks lasting less than 10 days. Some mothers have been turned away from facilities for as long as three months,” Oluga confirmed.
However, he stated that the delay was caused by late disbursement of co-financing funds by the National Treasury to the global partners Gavi and UNICEF. According to the PS, the delay had exposed children to risk of attack from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, had earlier confirmed that the Treasury had released KSh 900 million co-payment to UNICEF, allowing for the urgent replenishment of the stock.
The shortage had raised alarms among health professionals, warning of years of reversal progress in child survival and disease prevention, with an estimation of 80,000 children missing out, on the vital vaccines during the shortage.
However, Oluga announced plans by the Ministry to launch a national catch-up vaccination campaign beginning June, Sunday 15, where mothers whose babies missed on the vaccines will be traced to take their babies to the health facilities for the missed vaccines.
“All children born in the last three months and who left the hospitals without vaccination will be traced and fully immunized,” Oluga announced.
The arrival of the vaccines further showing the commitment of the Kenya Kwanza government in streamlining the health sector that is current in a mode of crisis.
