Kenya has received a consignment of 3 million doses of BCG Vaccine, which will come in handy in boosting the country’s routine immunisation.

Medical Services Principle Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga received the consignment on Wednesday, June 12 night at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The vaccines, delivered with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), come at a critical time to replenish national stocks and sustain Kenya’s routine immunization programme.

PS Oluga confirmed that distribution to counties will begin immediately to ensure uninterrupted protection of newborns and young children against tuberculosis.

“This delivery underscores the Ministry’s commitment to vaccine security and equitable access across all regions,” he noted.

Dr. Oluga was accompanied by Dr. Bashir Issak, Head of the Directorate of Family Health, and Dr. Rose Jalango, Head of the National Vaccines and Immunization Programme (NVIP), along with senior officials from the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and WHO.

Last Friday, PS Oluga confirmed that indeed the country was facing a vaccine shortage crisis, revealing that 12 out of Kenya’s 47 counties had completely ran out of critical vaccines.

He also revealed that the country’s vaccine stocks for BCG (Tuberculosis) and Polio were down to just two weeks, while Rotavirus vaccine supplies may only last a month if immediate interventions are not made.

However, he was quick to assure that a national catch-up strategy is in motion to prevent children from missing life-saving doses.

“We acknowledge the challenges currently facing vaccine stock levels and immunization efforts across the country,” Dr. Oluga said at the time. “However, no child will miss a single dose of any vaccine, thanks to the Zero-Dose Catch-Up Mechanism.”

According to the PS, there is a shortfall to global vaccine supply bottlenecks — a challenge affecting not only Kenya but several countries worldwide.

“The Ministry reassures all Kenyans that no child will miss a single dose of any vaccine, thanks to the Zero-Dose Catch- Up mechanism established and operational under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” Oluga assured.