Kenya stares at vaccine crisis as US measles outbreak claims three

Under five years of age receives polio vaccine in the second phase at Bus Station in Nairobi on July 19, 2021. [File, Standard]

A measles outbreak in the US has raised global health concerns, with newborns in Kenya facing increased risk of diseases if a global vaccine initiative follows through on its threat to withhold vaccines from the country.

Kenya is at risk of running out of vaccine supplies due to government’s failure to meet its Sh1.6 billion co-financing obligation to Gavi, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.