Where are the vaccines? Parents raise concern over shortage

Jane Akinyi (right) holding her baby while a medic administer a Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG) vaccine at Forest Dispensary in Nakuru on January 28, 2019. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Kenya is facing a shortage of BCG and polio vaccines that has gone on for months, leaving parents frustrated and desperate. With the immunisations unavailable in many health facilities, some parents have turned to social media to share their struggles, many saying they have been forced to travel across counties to access the vaccines. "Mniambie mahali nitatoa BCG vaccines" (Tell me where to get the BCG vaccine), wrote X user Aslan Kenga. SCREENGRAB OF A TWEET. Responses flooded in, with some parents suggesting clinics in other counties, while others voiced anger at what they viewed as government neglect. ''Is this how the country should operate? So renovating the statehouse has higher priority than life-saving vaccines?'' Joel Karimu posed. The country has for the past few months experienced a shortage in the BCG vaccine, which protects children against getting a Tuberculosis infection, and the polio vaccine. According to the Ministry of Health, the shortage is expected to continue for at least another month. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, appearing before the National Assembly Health Committee during discussions on health budget allocations earlier this week acknowledged the crisis. He attributed the shortfall to delays by the National Treasury in disbursing funds to vaccine suppliers. "We have a system for procuring vaccines in Kenya, the traditional method where we pay for some of the vaccines using our resources, and a co-financing method where we share with Gavi. We had a small problem with Gavi because of the exchequer, but the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary has committed to pay the Sh930 million as part of the co-financing," said Duale. Despite the challenges, Duale offered a measure of hope, announcing that the first shipment of vaccines is expected between June 10 and 15. In March, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, formally reminded the Kenyan government of its co-financing obligation, demanding payment of Sh1.6 billion ($12.49 million) for the 2024/25 fiscal year, due in full by June 2025. The firm warned that failure to meet the deadline could disrupt vaccine supply, as the lead time between payment and delivery is about three months. The country also risks being declared in default, which could halt future vaccine support and suspend disbursements under the Health System and Immunisation Strengthening (HSIS) program. "Gavi is sending this co-financing reminder letter as the Kenya co-financing obligation for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, totalling USD$ 12,485,880, remains fully outstanding,'' read a section of the reminder privy to The Standard. It added: "The 2024/25 co-financing obligation is due, in full, by June 2025." Former Health CS Deborah Barasa had also warned of reduced donor funding for health programs, citing the termination of a major contract by the US government. The withdrawal, she said, had created a funding gap, affecting services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and immunisation.

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