MoH receives 3 million BCG vaccines to boost routine immunisation

The Ministry of Health has received a consignment of three million Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) doses. The vaccine protects against tuberculosis. 

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga received the consignment on Wednesday evening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). 

“The vaccines, delivered with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), came at a critical time to replenish national stocks and sustain Kenya’s routine immunization programme,” the Ministry of Health noted. 

The Ministry confirmed that distribution to counties will begin immediately to ensure uninterrupted protection of newborns and young children against tuberculosis. 

Oluga was accompanied by Head of the Directorate of Family Health Bashir Issak, Head of the National Vaccines and Immunization Programme (NVIP) Rose Jalango, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and WHO.

The delivery underscores the Ministry’s commitment to vaccine security and equitable access across all regions.

On Friday, June 6, Oluga stated that the Ministry was expecting the BCG vaccines to arrive and be distributed by June 15, 2025.

He acknowledged that the country’s vaccine stock levels were decreasing and immunisation efforts across the country were facing challenges with some counties already experiencing shortages.

He said 12 out of the country’s 47 counties had completely run out of vaccine stocks.

Despite the alarming news, Oluga assured the public that efforts had been made to mitigate the shortage. 

“We have put in place the Zero-Dose Catch-Up Mechanism under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to ensure that no child misses a single dose of any vaccine," he said.

He also confirmed that redistribution efforts are underway.

“The Ministry is actively redistributing available vaccine stocks in collaboration with the County Government to ensure equitable access to all Kenyans in all regions,” Oluga said.

He attributed the shortage to global vaccine supply bottlenecks, which have affected many countries, including Kenya

To avoid future crises, the Ministry is developing a strategic vaccine reserve for all 47 counties, aimed at ensuring sustainable access and rapid response to shortages.