The Health Non-Governmental Organisations Network (HENNET) has raised concerns about the ongoing vaccine stock-outs in Kenya, attributing the issue to a reduction in the country’s budget allocation for immunisation programs. Faith Ndungu, HENNET’s Advocacy and Communication Manager, emphasized that there is a clear connection between the budget cuts and the recurring vaccine shortages. She pointed out that a significant sum of Sh463.1 million was slashed from the immunisation management budget in the Financial Year 2023/2024 supplementary budget, a move that has had a direct impact on the availability of vaccines.
Despite the budget cuts, the exact cause of the stock-outs over the past two years remains unclear. Ndungu expressed the need for further investigation into the issue, suggesting that a root cause analysis should be conducted to better understand the underlying factors contributing to the problem. HENNET plans to carry out this analysis in 2025 and develop a strategic plan aimed at addressing the issue and ensuring a more reliable vaccine supply moving forward.
The issue of vaccine stock-outs is particularly concerning from a public health perspective, as it threatens the immunisation efforts aimed at protecting the population, especially children, from preventable diseases. According to Ndungu, the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to the highest attainable standard of healthcare, which includes access to vaccines. She stressed that the government has a responsibility to ensure that all eligible individuals, particularly children, receive their vaccinations as part of the Immunisation Agenda 2030.
The government has indicated that it will provide vaccines and implement a catch-up plan for children who missed their vaccinations at birth. However, Ndungu highlighted that the success of such a plan depends on the involvement of various stakeholders, including parents. Parents will need to ensure that their children are vaccinated, but this may come with additional financial and logistical challenges, such as transportation costs to healthcare facilities, food expenses during the journey, and disruption to their daily routines. These challenges could discourage some families from participating in the vaccination process, further exacerbating the problem.
To prevent such issues, Ndungu called for public conversations about the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of all players involved in the vaccination process. She emphasized the need for a sustainable mechanism to ensure uninterrupted access to routine vaccines. Without such a system in place, there is a risk of leaving certain populations, particularly children, vulnerable to diseases that vaccines can prevent.
The importance of financing immunisation programs through the Primary Health Care Fund was also highlighted by Ndungu. She urged stakeholders to advocate for consistent funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of immunisation efforts, especially when donor organizations pull out of supporting the programs. While donor funding has been instrumental in supporting immunisation campaigns, relying solely on it presents a risk. If donor organizations decide to withdraw their support, the country could face a significant shortage of vaccines, leading to widespread stock-outs and a breakdown in immunisation coverage.
Ndungu’s remarks underscore the critical need for a reliable and sustainable approach to vaccine procurement and distribution in Kenya. She urged the Ministry of Health to prioritize the development of a comprehensive catch-up plan to ensure that children who have missed their vaccinations are properly immunized. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and the public, in the effort to improve vaccine availability and coverage.
The recurring vaccine stock-outs serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of immunisation programs to budget cuts, donor withdrawal, and logistical challenges. It is essential for the government and other stakeholders to work together to find lasting solutions that will guarantee access to vaccines for all Kenyans, particularly children, and protect the population from preventable diseases.
