Polio, BCG vaccines to arrive in June after Gov’t releases Ksh.900M

Millions of children due for vaccination will have to wait for another month, with the Ministry of Health now saying the country's vaccine supplies will be replenished by mid-June.

The country has been facing an acute BCG and polio vaccine shortage, owing to the failure by the Treasury to release co-financing payments to international vaccine partners, Gavi and UNICEF.

The current vaccine shortage, which has prevailed for several months, has left thousands of children unprotected.

The stock-out of life-saving vaccines such as polio is threatening to reverse gains made by the country in curbing child mortality and preventing the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. 

The Ministry of Health has blamed the crisis on delays in the disbursement of funds by the Treasury but pledges to expedite the procurement process.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also confirmed that the Ksh.900 million co-payment has finally been released.

"UNICEF confirmed to me in writing yesterday that the vaccines will be here by June 15th next month. It was because of our late exchequer release. It was only Ksh.1 billion and we have already sent the money to UNICEF, and they have given us the timelines," CS Duale stated. 

Duale also highlighted progress in the overhaul of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), which has faced persistent supply chain inefficiencies.

He revealed that the government had implemented a policy to ensure KEMSA improves its fill rate from the current 47 per cent.

"I am here to confirm that the KEMSA refill is at 47%. We are doing serious reforms. We've secured a letter of credit from KCB for Ksh.10 billion to ensure their refill rate is at 100 per cent," Duale noted.