The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
The Ministry of Health has on Thursday flagged off a consignment of vaccines to regional stores across the country.
Presiding over the flag-off at Afya House, Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said this marked a boost to immunisation efforts amid the prolonged shortage in the country.
“Today, we are receiving over 3 million doses of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine (for TB) and 3.2 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), marking a major boost in national immunisation efforts,” said Duale.
CS Aden Duale commended the National Treasury for rapid resource allocation and UNICEF for quick procurement and delivery of the vaccines.
The CS further urged the County governments to prioritise the collection and distribution of vaccines to health facilities, especially in remote and underserved areas.
“With today’s vaccine consignment now in the country, I am calling upon all county governments…to prioritise the collection of these vaccines from regional depots and ensure timely distribution to health facilities—especially those in remote and underserved areas,” he added.
Parents and guardians have been urged to visit health facilities to catch up on any missed or scheduled vaccinations to protect their children from diseases.
However, Duale raised concerns over the looming crisis of vaccine shortages worldwide, assuring of the government’s commitment to a steady supply.
- Funding issues, failure to utilise data to blame for vaccine crisis
- Government confirms arrival of TB, BCG vaccines
- Government race to trace and immunise vaccine defaulters
- Kenya risks vaccine shortages as Gavi funding phases out
Keep Reading
“We are currently monitoring an emerging issue - a global shortage of the Rotavac Frozen vaccine, a vital vaccine that protects against diarrhoea caused by Rotavirus, which is expected to impact supply from the second quarter of 2025 into 2026. The Ministry is preparing technical guidance to help healthcare workers manage this situation while continuing to offer the best care possible,” he noted.
The vaccines being distributed were received on Wednesday night at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), part of a donation by the Gavi Vaccine Alliance.
This was after the shortage sparked concern among health professionals and the public about the potential risk to children's survival and disease prevention.
An estimated 80,000 children missed out on critical vaccines during the shortage.
join