Months after the government successfully addressed a temporary shortage of childhood vaccines, fear and misinformation persist among parents, creating an ongoing challenge for health workers striving to restore confidence in the immunisation process. The earlier disruption, caused by stockouts in public health facilities, has left a lingering sense of uncertainty that is proving difficult to dispel, even though vaccines are now widely available.
During the shortage, many parents were forced to seek alternative options, travelling to other counties or paying for services at private and non-governmental hospitals. Although the government moved quickly to resolve the supply issues, the anxiety sparked by the stockouts remains deeply entrenched. Community health promoters like Esther, based in Nairobi, recall how confusion and panic swept through communities, leading to a breakdown of trust in public healthcare systems. Esther notes that despite efforts to disseminate accurate information, many parents continue to believe that vaccines are unavailable at public facilities. She and her colleagues are working tirelessly to reverse these misconceptions by reassuring parents and providing up-to-date information on vaccine availability.
Health promoters are now actively monitoring vaccine distribution and guiding parents to facilities with sufficient supplies. Esther explains that even when individual centres experience brief shortages, there are always alternatives, and families are being referred accordingly to prevent missed vaccinations. However, rebuilding confidence is a slow process, and misinformation continues to spread through word of mouth, especially in communities that were hardest hit by the previous shortages.
Anne, another health promoter working in Nairobi’s informal settlements, shares similar experiences. She recounts how, during the height of the shortage, mothers were advised to visit health facilities only on specific days when vaccines were expected to arrive. Although that strategy is no longer necessary, some parents remain under the impression that such limitations still exist. Anne stresses that vaccines are now available daily, and services have resumed normal operations. She recently assisted a distressed mother who, believing vaccines were unavailable, hesitated to bring her child for immunisation. Fortunately, the mother was quickly reassured and successfully vaccinated her child at a nearby public facility.
Further complicating matters is the introduction of the Social Health Authority (SHA) system, which requires proper identification for service access. Some parents were initially turned away for not having the necessary documents, adding to the confusion and mistrust. However, once the correct paperwork is provided, children receive their vaccines without issue.
At a private non-governmental hospital in Mathare, health practitioner Florence reports an influx of parents seeking immunisation services due to lingering fears about public facilities. Florence emphasises that public hospitals are well stocked and urges parents to return to these centres, highlighting the collaboration with Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) to disseminate accurate information and reassure families.
A major breakthrough came in January with the arrival of 9.3 million vaccine doses, including critical supplies of the BCG and measles-rubella vaccines. Dr. Patrick Amoth, Health Director-General, confirmed the creation of a six-month buffer stock to prevent future shortages. Distribution was carried out efficiently, supplying regional depots across the country, ensuring that vaccines are accessible to all counties. Although significant progress has been made, health officials acknowledge that ongoing community engagement is essential to dispel fears and misinformation. They continue to urge parents not to delay immunisations, reminding them that timely vaccination is crucial for safeguarding children’s health.
