In recent weeks, Kenyan health experts have expressed growing concern over the severe shortage of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which has left government stores and hospitals across the country without stock for more than three weeks. The BCG vaccine, vital for preventing tuberculosis (TB) in young children, is a critical component of Kenya’s immunization schedule. It is typically administered at birth, alongside other essential vaccines that protect against diseases like polio and hepatitis B.
The shortage has been particularly alarming, with the vaccine unavailable in numerous public health facilities, especially in rural and marginalized regions. Counties such as Kisumu, Kakamega, Bomet, Narok, Turkana, Wajir, and Mandera have been hardest hit. In some cases, the absence of the vaccine has persisted for over a month, raising fears that vulnerable newborns may be left unprotected against TB.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai addressed the issue, confirming that the government had procured 2.6 million doses of the BCG vaccine. These are expected to arrive in the country by the third week of January 2025. In a statement to Nation, Kimtai assured the public that once the vaccines arrive, they will be immediately processed and distributed to nine regional stores across Kenya. The delay in delivery was attributed to global procurement challenges, which, according to Kimtai, have now been resolved through collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“There has been a slight delay in the delivery of these vaccines, but the government has worked with UNICEF to address the issue,” said Kimtai. “We are expecting the BCG vaccines any time from the third week of January 2025. In the meantime, we request caregivers to take their children for the other vaccines available as we await the resumption of BCG.”
The BCG vaccine is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) essential medicines and is a key element of the Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunisation (KEPI). Administered via an injection on the upper left arm, it plays a crucial role in safeguarding children against TB, which can be fatal without proper intervention.
The shortage is particularly concerning given that this is the second time in less than a year that Kenya has faced a significant gap in its routine vaccine supply. In June 2024, the Ministry of Health had announced that it had secured Sh1.25 billion for the procurement of vaccines, including BCG, only for those supplies to run out. This followed another shortage earlier in the year. During this period, the government was also engaged in settling a Sh1.5 billion debt to UNICEF and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. The payment was necessary for GAVI to release an additional Sh8 billion in funding for vaccine procurement for the current financial year.
Refugee camps in Kenya, such as those in Kakuma and Dadaab, have also been affected by the vaccine shortage. The International Rescue Committee (IRC), which manages health services in these camps, has reported that their buffer stocks of BCG, oral polio vaccines, and rotavirus vaccines have been depleted. This puts both the refugees and the surrounding communities at increased risk of preventable diseases, including tuberculosis.
Health experts have warned that any prolonged shortage of critical vaccines could undo the progress made in reducing child mortality rates in Kenya. With the global supply chain for vaccines already under pressure, it is crucial that Kenya’s health infrastructure is strengthened to ensure that children do not miss out on life-saving immunizations due to delays in procurement.
As the government works to resolve the current shortage, there is a growing call for better contingency planning to prevent such disruptions in the future, ensuring that all children in Kenya have access to timely and necessary vaccinations.
