Kenya to receive BCG, polio vaccines by mid-June after funding delay
CS Duale said the vaccine shortage was caused by a delay in releasing Sh930 million in co-financing funds to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance.
Kenya will receive shipments of BCG and polio vaccines between June 10 and 15, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale told Parliament on Thursday, following a confirmation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health, Duale said the vaccine shortage was caused by a delay in releasing Sh930 million in co-financing funds to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance.
The delay left thousands of children across the country unvaccinated and at risk of diseases such as tuberculosis and polio.
"We have a system for procuring vaccines in Kenya, the traditional method where we pay for some of the vaccines using our own resources, and a co-financing method where we share with Gavi," Duale explained.
"We had a small problem with Gavi because of the exchequer, but the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury has committed to pay the Sh930 million as part of the co-financing."
The funding delay caused a nationwide stock-out of critical vaccines.
BCG and oral polio vaccines were most affected, sparking concern among health officials who warn that progress made in reducing child deaths and stopping the return of preventable diseases is now at risk.
"UNICEF confirmed to me in writing yesterday that the vaccines will be here by June 15th next month. It was because of our late exchequer release. It was only Sh1 billion, and we have already sent the money to UNICEF, and they have given us the timelines," said Duale.
He acknowledged that the shortage has persisted for about two weeks and has forced millions of children to wait longer than scheduled for their immunisations.
This is not the first time Kenya has faced such a crisis.
A similar situation occurred last year when delays in disbursing co-financing funds to Gavi disrupted supplies of BCG, polio, rotavirus, and tetanus vaccines.
Last year’s funding delay amounted to Sh1.2 billion.
In a letter seen by the Ministry of Health, Gavi has reminded the government to fully meet its contribution for the 2024–2025 period by June 2025 to secure continued support.
During the committee session, Duale also addressed reforms underway at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), an institution that has struggled with supply chain issues.
"I am here to confirm that the KEMSA refill is at 47 percent. We are doing serious reforms. We’ve secured a letter of credit from KCB for Sh10 billion to ensure their refill rate is at 100 percent," he said.
The Health Ministry has pledged to speed up procurement and supply chain processes to ensure all eligible children receive timely immunisation going forward.
