Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga received a consignment of 3 million Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG) doses and 3.2 million doses of polio at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday 11th June 2025.
The PS who was accompanied with other health officials acknowledged that the government was running low on stocks therefore the doses come a crucial time.
“The BCG vaccines, that is known for protecting against tuberculosis was delivered with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), came at a critical time to replenish national stocks and sustain Kenya’s routine immunization programme,” a Ministry of Health statement read.
The Ministry confirmed that distribution to counties will begin immediately to ensure uninterrupted protection of newborns and young children against tuberculosis.
Oluga was accompanied by Head of the Directorate of Family Health Bashir Issak, Head of the National Vaccines and Immunization Programme (NVIP) Rose Jalango, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and WHO.The delivery underscores the Ministry’s commitment to vaccine security and equitable access across all regions.
On Friday, June 6, Oluga had hinted the Ministry was expecting the BCG and Polio vaccines to arrive and be distributed by June 15, 2025.
The PS acknowledged that immunisation efforts across the country were facing challenges with some counties already experiencing shortages citing 12 out of the country’s 47 counties had completely run out of vaccine stocks. Despite the alarming news, Oluga assured the public that efforts had been made to mitigate the shortage.
“We have put in place the Zero-Dose Catch-Up Mechanism under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to ensure that no child misses a single dose of any vaccine,” he said.
“The Ministry is actively redistributing available vaccine stocks in collaboration with the County Government to ensure equitable access to all Kenyans in all regions.”
He attributed the shortage to global vaccine supply bottlenecks, which have affected many countries, including KenyaTo avoid future crises, the Ministry is developing a strategic vaccine reserve for all 47 counties, aimed at ensuring sustainable access and rapid response to shortages.
