By Janet Philip
In a major boost to Kenya’s national immunization programme, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that families can now visit their nearest health facilities for catch-up on missed or upcoming vaccinations. This follows the arrival of a critical consignment of vaccines aimed at protecting newborns and children from life-threatening diseases.
Speaking at Afya House during the official flag-off of 6.2 million vaccine doses, CS Duale confirmed that Kenya has received 3 million doses of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which protects against tuberculosis (TB), and 3.2 million doses of the Polio vaccine.
“This is a major boost to our National Immunization efforts. This consignment has been made possible through the swift and commendable action of the National Treasury and we are very grateful for their allocation of resources,” said Duale.
He urged County Governments, through the Council of Governors (CoG) and County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) for Health, to prioritize collection of the vaccines from regional depots and ensure their timely distribution to health facilities across the country—particularly in remote and underserved regions.
The consignment was delivered with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) at a time when national stocks were critically low. The Ministry of Health emphasized that the timely delivery will help sustain the country’s routine immunization schedule and safeguard thousands of newborns.
Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, confirmed that distribution to the counties will begin immediately.
“These vaccines come at a critical time to replenish our national stocks. This delivery not only addresses urgent needs but also reinforces our commitment to vaccine security and equitable access,” Dr. Oluga stated.
Tuberculosis continues to pose a major public health challenge in Kenya, especially among infants and young children who are highly vulnerable to severe forms of the disease. The BCG vaccine, administered shortly after birth, is a key tool in preventing childhood TB.
Health authorities are calling on parents and guardians to take advantage of the available vaccines by visiting health facilities for routine immunization and catch-up services.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring that all children, regardless of their location, have access to life-saving vaccines as part of a broader strategy to improve health outcomes across the nation.
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