Ministry assures public of vaccine access amid shortages

No child will miss a single dose of any vaccine, the government has assured citing the Zero-Dose Catch-Up Mechanism is already established and operational under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

In a statement from the Ministry of Health, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga, highlighted pressing concerns over low stock levels for key childhood vaccines, including BCG (Tuberculosis) and Polio, both with only two weeks of supply remaining, and Rota Virus Vaccine, with a month’s stock left.

“The Ministry reassures all Kenyans that no child will miss a single dose of any vaccine, thanks to the Zero-Dose Catch-Up Mechanism established and operational under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).” The PS said.

The PS noted that the Kenya has received 3.2 million doses of the Polio Vaccine which are currently being cleared at the Port for distribution by 10th June 2025.

Similarly, 3.0 million doses of BCG Vaccine are expected at the Port and distribution planned by 15th June 2025.

“We have received 3.2 million doses of the Polio vaccine, and an additional 3.0 million doses of the BCG vaccine are expected by 10th June 2025. There is no cause for alarm.” PS Oluga assured.

As of June 6th, 12 out of Kenya’s 47 counties had reportedly run out of vaccine stocks entirely.

However, Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga assured the public that measures were already underway to restore vaccine access equitably across all regions.

He remarked that the Ministry is establishing Strategic Vaccine reserve in all 47 Counties through a Programme that will be sustainably financed and efficiently operated.

“The Ministry is establishing Strategic Vaccine reserve in all 47 Counties through a Programme that will be sustainably financed and efficiently operated.” He noted.

The Ministry called for continued cooperation from county governments, healthcare providers, and the public as efforts intensify to stabilize the country’s vaccine supply chain and protect the gains made in child health and immunization.