Vaccine shortage puts infants, expectant mothers at risk in Baringo County

 

oral polio vaccine for children

Critical shortage of essential vaccines has hit the country and is exposesing infants to deadly diseases that had previously been eradicated.

In the statement, oral polio vaccine for children and Tetanus Diphtheria for expectant mothers and clients with trauma vaccines have been lacking for two weeks now.

Spot check at Baringo referral hospital reveals depletion of Polio and Tetanus vaccines as mothers have been turned away for the past three days.

“The number of Yellow Fever and BCG vaccines is also running low and if there is no supply in the near future, a crisis may arise,” Chief Officer of Health Winnie Bore said.

“Women have to travel to various facilities in Marigat or make the 40 km journey from Marigat to Kabarnet in search of vaccines, including Yellow Fever and other important vaccines,” Estalina Lekalaile, a mother from Baringo stated.

Vaccine shortage has raised concerns and fears regarding the resurgence of old diseases, notably polio, which were previously prevalent in the area, posing significant challenges to public health efforts.

“The vaccine shortage has brought about challenges and fears of old diseases resurfacing, particularly diseases like polio that was once rampant in the area,” the Head of Immunizations in Baringo County Lena Koskey said.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi collaborates with the Council of Governors to urgently address vaccine shortage, emphasizing the critical need for provision to safeguard infants’ health.

“We are working with the Council of Governors to address the issue and communicate with the National Government about the urgent need for vaccine provision, which is a lifeline for many infants,” he stated.

As per the statement, It has been reported that Kenya has defaulted on a debt of Sh2 billion to a global supplier of vaccines, resulting in the government missing out on a year-long supply of vaccines. This endangers 1.6 million infants, pregnant women, and 750,000 girls under 10, who may not receive necessary vaccinations.

By Timothy Kanyi