In a race against time, health officials in Kisumu and Vihiga counties, in collaboration with the national government and PATH organization, have launched an ambitious campaign to trace and immunize nearly 30,000 infants who missed critical vaccines due to a severe shortage last year. The crisis left many newborns vulnerable to life-threatening diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, and malaria.
The vaccine shortage, which hit Kisumu and Vihiga counties towards the end of last year, saw many infants go without crucial immunizations. Among the affected children were Kadogo’s twins, who were born in November but did not receive the necessary vaccines due to stockouts at health facilities.
Newborns in these regions missed out on essential vaccines, including:
- BCG vaccine (protects against tuberculosis)
- Tetanus vaccine (prevents neonatal tetanus)
- Polio vaccine (administered at two and four months to prevent poliomyelitis)
- Malaria vaccine (given at six months to protect against severe malaria)
Several mothers, including Pamela Awuor, who gave birth in January, were discharged from hospitals without their babies receiving immunizations. “I was told to return after two weeks, but I fear my baby might miss out again,” she shared
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, county and national health officials swiftly devised a last-mile immunization strategy to identify defaulters and ensure they receive the missing vaccines. This initiative aims to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases among infants.
Health facilities have since received fresh vaccine supplies from the national government, prompting officials to launch an aggressive outreach program. The strategy involves:
- Compiling databases of new births and tracking vaccine defaulters.
- Utilizing community health promoters (CHPs) to locate and escort caregivers to health facilities.
- Conducting phone follow-ups to remind parents of available vaccines.
According to Florence Oketch, Kisumu’s county nursing officer, health facilities have now been stocked with BCG and tetanus vaccines, expected to last two months.
Community Health Promoters (CHPs) have been instrumental in mobilizing parents and caregivers. At Nyalenda health facility, CHPs escorted mothers and infants who had previously missed vaccines to ensure they got immunized.
“We have been tracking defaulters through phone calls and home visits to encourage them to bring their infants for vaccinations,” explained Maurice Ouma, a CHP in Kisumu.
At Kuoyo dispensary, mothers patiently lined up for the newly available vaccines after CHPs reached out to them. However, many parents remain uncertain about whether the supply will be sustained.
While the restocking of vaccines is a major relief, some parents are worried about the consistency of supply. Many mothers expressed frustration over past shortages and are unsure if the government will ensure a steady provision of vaccines moving forward.
Health officials acknowledge these concerns and emphasize the importance of long-term solutions. “We are making comparisons to trace those who missed vaccines and ensure they receive them,” said Jael Aran, the nursing officer in charge of vaccinations in Kisumu. She further emphasized the dangers of delayed immunization, as it leaves infants susceptible to preventable diseases.
The government’s race to immunize vaccine defaulters in Kisumu and Vihiga counties is a critical step in safeguarding infant health. The initiative, supported by CHPs and the PATH organization, aims to ensure no child is left unprotected. However, sustained efforts are needed to address future vaccine shortages and reinforce immunization programs, ensuring that every child receives life-saving vaccines on time.
