Govt announces arrival of 3M BCG vaccines amid shortage concerns
The government, through the Ministry of Health (MOH), has announced the arrival of three million doses of BCG vaccines.
MOH, in a statement issued via social media on the night of Wednesday, June 11, 2025, said that the consignment of the vaccines had been received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga.
The plane carrying the vaccines landed at JIKIA on the evening of Wednesday, June 11.
According to MOH, the vaccines were delivered with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), with the Aden Duale-led ministry stating that they had arrived at a critical time to replenish national stocks and sustain Kenya’s routine immunisation programme.
“This evening, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr @fnoluga, received a consignment of 3 million doses of BCG vaccine at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The vaccines, delivered with the support of UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), come at a critical time to replenish national stocks and sustain Kenya’s routine immunisation programme,” the statement read.
Vaccine distribution
Dr Oluga was accompanied by Dr Bashir Issak, Head of the Directorate of Family Health, and Dr Rose Jalango, Head of the National Vaccines and Immunisation Programme (NVIP), along with senior officials from the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and WHO.
He confirmed that distribution to counties will begin immediately to ensure uninterrupted protection of newborns and young children against tuberculosis.
Vaccine shortage
About a week ago, the MOH had raised the alarm over dwindling vaccine stocks in the country, revealing that critical immunisation supplies, including BCG and polio vaccines, could run out in just two weeks.
In a press statement issued on Friday, June 6, 2025, Oluga said that 12 counties were facing a shortage of vaccines.
“More alarming, 12 out of Kenya’s 47 counties have already run out of stock entirely,” the ministry declared.
While specific counties were not named, the ministry confirmed that vaccine shortages are being felt nationwide. According to the ministry, stocks for three major vaccines are nearing exhaustion: BCG (tuberculosis vaccine): Only 2 weeks of stock remaining; polio vaccine: 2 weeks of stock remaining; and rotavirus vaccine: approximately 1 month of stock remaining.
The ministry attributed the current shortage to global vaccine supply bottlenecks, which have also affected several other countries.
“The low vaccine stock levels have resulted from a combination of factors and mainly the global vaccine supply bottlenecks, which continue to impact several countries,” the press release read in part.
Supply chain disruptions, increased global demand, and logistical hurdles are believed to have slowed vaccine imports into Kenya, a situation worsened by the country’s reliance on international manufacturers for life-saving jabs.
Oluga acknowledged the challenge while reassuring Kenyans that urgent measures are underway to restore supply and protect vulnerable populations, particularly children under five.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of all Kenyans. In this regard, we acknowledge the challenges currently facing vaccine stock levels and immunisation efforts nationwide,” Oluga said.
