More TB vaccines imported

The shortage of crucial vaccines in public health facilities to combat Tuberculosis and Menengitis has eased following the arrival of 1.3 million doses.

A shortage of the BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccine, which protects children against TB, had been reported in parts of the country for the past two weeks.

This sparked concerns since TB is common, particularly in urban poor areas, regions with high HIV/Aids burden and among nomadic communities.

Health Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri said Sunday the doses arrived in the country on Thursday and are being distributed to all counties.

He said it was part of the 4.7 million ordered in September last year through the United Nations Children's Fund.

The PS indicated another 4 million doses are expected in the country next month to address the shortage. "The Ministry of Health would like to reassure parents and the general public that the situation is under control and there is no likelihood of increased spread of TB," said Dr Muraguri.

He added: "The shortage of the vaccine has been occasioned by production delays of BCG at a global level, leading to limited supplies across the African region."

The doses have been distributed to nine depots across the country, including Nairobi (327,800 doses), Garissa (89,700), Meru (65,000), Mombasa (115,300), Kisumu (192,400), Kakamega (143,700), Nakuru (134,700), Eldoret (361,100) and Nyeri (46,700).

Muraguri said the BCG vaccine is safe after undergoing the necessary regulatory and safety evaluations and clearance

Previously, some stakeholders, particularly the Catholic Church, have raised concerns about the safety of various vaccines, but the Government has termed the concerns misplaced.

The BCG vaccine is effective in reducing the likelihood and severity of TB and TB meningitis, especially in children, by up to 80 per cent.

The vaccine is administered to children below five years, at birth or at first contact with a healthcare provider.