Kenya receives 9.3 million vaccine doses to boost BCG and measles immunisation efforts
Nine regional depots across the country, including Nairobi, have already received the BCG vaccines from the central vaccine store in Kitengela.
Kenya has received 9.3 million doses of vaccines, including 2.3 million doses of the BCG vaccine and 7 million doses of the measles-rubella vaccine.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health announced that the vaccines arrived on Tuesday, and would be distributed across the country to enhance protection against tuberculosis, measles, and rubella.
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Speaking during a weekly media briefing, Health Director-General Patrick Amoth confirmed that the vaccines, which include 2.3 million BCG doses and 7 million measles-rubella doses, arrived in the country on January 21, 2025.
"We have maintained a buffer stock of vaccines sufficient for six months to guarantee an uninterrupted supply," Dr Amoth stated.
He assured that the ministry has a robust vaccine distribution system to promptly address any isolated challenges and maintain the efficiency of immunisation programs.
Nine regional depots across the country, including Nairobi, have already received the BCG vaccines from the central vaccine store in Kitengela.
The capital city will receive 450,000 doses, followed by Kisumu with 300,000 doses.
Kakamega will get 276,000 doses, Nakuru 264,000 doses, Mombasa 120,000 doses, Meru 90,000 doses, Nyeri 90,000 doses, Garissa 120,000 doses, and Eldoret 290,000 doses.
Buffer stock
The central vaccine store is holding the remaining 234,000 doses as buffer stock.
The Ministry of Health has also announced the arrival of additional vaccine shipments to further enhance immunisation efforts.
By January 27, 2025, the country will receive 486,000 doses of the rotavirus vaccine, 2.3 million doses of the tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine, and 1.2 million doses of the pentavalent vaccine. Additionally, 960,000 doses of the oral polio vaccine are expected by February 3, 2025.
The BCG vaccine had been out of stock for over a month, with some counties having faced limited supply while others had a complete stockout.
BCG acts as an antigen, teaching the body's immune system to recognise and combat TB bacteria without causing infections.
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