The arrival of the first batch of 9.3 million doses of critical childhood jabs is set to alleviate a biting shortage of the vaccines, which has put the health of hundreds of thousands of newborns in the country at risk.
Health Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth confirmed that the vaccines arrived on January 21, 2025, and have already been dispatched to nine regional depots across the country from the Central Vaccine Store (CVS) in Kitengela. The shipment includes 2.3 million doses of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which is aimed at preventing Tuberculosis (TB) in infants, and 7 million doses of the measles-rubella vaccine. Dr Amoth reassured the public that the ministry has established a robust vaccine distribution system to maintain uninterrupted immunisation programmes "We have maintained a buffer stock of vaccines sufficient for six months to guarantee an uninterrupted supply," he stressed, adding that any isolated challenges would be promptly addressed. .Keep ReadingNewborns at risk as vaccines shortage bitesGovernment allocates Sh1.2b to cure vaccine shortageMinistry assures Kenyans over vaccine shortagesAlarm as public facilities grapple with shortage of crucial vaccinesThe BCG vaccine distribution will see Nairobi receive 450,000 doses while Kisumu will benefit with 300,000 doses.
Others include Kakamega (276,000 doses), Nakuru (264,000 doses), Mombasa (120,000 doses), Meru (90,000 doses), Nyeri (90,000 doses), Garissa (120,000 doses), and Eldoret (290,000 doses).
An additional 234,000 doses will remain at the CVS as buffer stock. The measles-rubella vaccines, critical for protecting children against life-threatening diseases, will also be distributed nationwide. The arrival of the BCG vaccines is particularly timely, as the country faces shortages that have lasted for months.
