Harry Kimtai, medical services PS, has stated that the country is facing a vaccine crisis.
Kimtai pointed out that there’s currently a scarcity of vital vaccines, with less than a two-month supply available across the country for common vaccines like the BCG Vaccine, Oral Polio Vaccine, and Measles Rubella Vaccine.
The PS admitted that the low vaccine supply is a danger to children and vulnerable groups as they are likely to experience possible outbreaks. Yet, he blamed the national treasury, linking the scarcity to outstanding payments totaling Ksh.3.6 billion to suppliers.
Parents of the affected counties now have to seek the vaccination services in their neighbours. Siaya, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyamira, Kilifi, and Migori are part of the group of ten most affected counties. On Tuesday, the national treasury issued Ksh.1 billion to MOH and also added Ksh 1 billion for the vaccines.
However, the current ongoing fund facility, overseen by UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, requires another 1.6 billion Ksh to restart vaccine distribution.
Kimtai mentioned that they have an ongoing fund which if it empties, the supply abruptly stops. He also said that they are lacking 750 million Ksh, which they need to pay for to fix the vaccine shortage.
Kimtai predicted that the vaccine shortfall crisis is likely to intensify unless the required funds are paid by early June. He stated that upon settling the situation vaccines are expected to commence entering the country.
“We are currently struggling to pay for vaccines. Our bill now stands at 3.6 billion Ksh, plus an extra 750 million. We have to give UNICEF and the Global Alliance of Vaccine Immunization 2 billion Ksh. Even after that, we’ll still owe 1.6 billion Ksh, a payment we can’t avoid,” Kimtai said.
Kimtai, the medical services PS
The vaccine shortage in the country is due to reduction of the vaccine budget by 750 million in the financial year 2023/2024. The 2024/2025 finance bill, which has already faced criticism from Okiya Omtatah, is expected to allocate more funds to the immunization programmes.
“We need an extra 750 million Ksh to cover our vaccine needs. At first, we aimed for 1.2 billion Ksh, but we realized we needed another 750 million. Thereafter, there was a reduction of 750 million Ksh in the budget,” said the Medical Services PS.
Despite the shortage, MOH reassured that there are strategies already put in place to ensure no child misses on the vaccines. Strategies such as redistributing vaccines to demand areas, fast tracking of paid orders by UNICEF and convincing the National Treasury to add the funds for the immunization programmes in this financial year.
A weak immune system which is caused by lack of vaccines exposes the children to future outbreaks. This can lead to respiratory disorders, death and paralysis especially if one fails to receive the Polio vaccine. Parents are encouraged to follow nutritional advice to boost their children’s immunity.
President William Ruto, who is on a state visit to the U.S., is yet to address the vaccine shortage situation in the country.
