BACKGROUND ON IMMUNISATION IN KENYA

The Ministry of Health and partners like Global Alliance for Vaccines & Immunization (GAVI) and UNICEF has over many years continued to save the lives of children from life threatening diseases like TB, whooping cough, diphtheria, measles, pneumonia, meningitis, tetanus and polio. In 2012, the progress was remarkable! 82% of all Kenyan children under 2 years attained the required immunizations. The government pursued all efforts to ensure the reduction of infant and child diseases and deaths. Kenya was in line with international policies aimed at drastically reducing child mortality by 2015. However, latest administrative data reveal an alarming drop in Immunization Coverage in Kenya. By June 2014, the coverage had dropped from 82% to 68%. This means that a whopping 420,000 Kenyan children are currently not protected from vaccine preventable illnesses. In other words, 1 out of 4 children is not fully vaccinated against dangerous diseases such as neo-natal tetanus, measles and pneumonia. According to a UNICEF report, a new-born in Kenya and Burundi has the lowest chance in East Africa of surviving to celebrate their 5th birthday. Imagine the emotional trauma families have to go through after witnessing death of a child from an illness that could have been prevented by vaccines at zero financial cost! The country is risking its economy base, i.e. a healthy human capital. Similarly, news on TV, newspapers and radio has poured out reports on negligence and controversies surrounding vaccines. Primarily, the concern about the safety of certain vaccines and secondly the gross violation of medical ethics by government nurse causing severe harm to over 29 children in Busia. Regardless of the differences in both factors, children’s rights to accessing lifesaving vaccines are being violated. UNMET INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS TO SUPPORT CHILDIMMUNIZATIONS Kenya has constrained its partnership with GAVI; a key international partner in child health. Between 2008 and 2013, GAVI granted Kenya a generous USD 120 million to support our vaccines program and to strengthen the health system. GAVI supported Kenya in the introduction of pentavalent and pneumococcal vaccines in 2001 and 2010, respectively. However, Kenya has outstanding financial reports from previous grants from GAVI Alliance. As a result, we are missing out on a USD 2 Million “reward” that Kenya earned from reaching extra children with vaccines. Although Kenya is eligible for more grants, the lack of accountability for previous GAVI grants, some dating back as late as 2008, , means that the GAVI Alliance will not release the $34 Million Grant until these reports are submitted. GETTING BACK ON TRACK TO SAVE THE LIVES OF KENYAN CHILDREN The current immunization coverage of 68% requires more effort than ever, to get back to 82% and further achieve the required WHO standard of 90% coverage. Emphasis must be put on the responsibility of duty bearers especially government, in ensuring that children access their right to vaccines. The unlawfulness surrounding harm caused on children by denying them lifesaving vaccines cannot be over emphasized. In addition, the success of Kenya’s immunization Programme largely depends on adequate and timely financing of all proposed activities for vaccines and immunization. In regard to the confirmed audit queries on the funds given by GAVI Alliance to support immunization services and strengthen the healthy system, Parliament should compel the Ministry of Health to address these audit queries as soon as possible. Lastly, there is need for the Ministry of Health to begin holding regular meetings with County Executives for Health and address the controversies around vaccines and assure Kenyans that vaccines are safe. Similarly, the MOH also needs to develop the capacities of County governments to effectively deliver immunizations services in a safe manner. SOURCE ; Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium, Jabavu Lane Off Argwings Kodhek Road Silverpool Office Suites - Block A1, Second Floor – Suites # A11 & A12. P.O Box 69866 – 00400 Nairobi – Kenya, Phone: +254 722 203344/+254 733 333237: Web: www.kanco.org