Kenya's Vaccine Crisis: A Call for Action to Protect Our Children’s Right to Health

In Kenya today, we face a critical vaccine shortage that is putting the lives of our children at risk. The BCG vaccine, which is vital for protecting newborns from life-threatening tuberculosis, is in short supply. This shortage traces back to earlier this year when the government failed to pay a Ksh 2 billion debt to a global supplier, leading to a year-long disruption in the vaccine supply chain. To make matters worse, the government cut the vaccine budget from Ksh 2.6 billion to just Ksh 1.2 billion, further deepening the crisis.

Despite the government injecting Ksh 1.25 billion to import 3.1 million doses of the BCG vaccine, the shortage persists. This has left many parents, especially in remote and marginalized communities, worried about the safety of their children. It is a situation no parent should have to face—having to fear that their child might miss out on a basic, life-saving vaccine simply due to poor management and underfunding.

The situation highlights a deeper issue with how Kenya manages its health supply systems. While donors have played an essential role in co-financing vaccines, it’s time for Kenya to take greater responsibility for securing its own health supplies. A nation as capable as Kenya must prioritize investing in its health infrastructure and ensure that no child is left behind in the fight against preventable diseases. We must not rely solely on external donors but build a sustainable system where health is consistently funded and prioritized.

This issue is not just about vaccines—it’s a matter of human rights. According to Article 43 of the Kenyan Constitution, every citizen has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes access to timely, affordable, and quality healthcare services. The government’s failure to ensure a steady vaccine supply directly violates this right, especially for the most vulnerable members of society: our children.

As citizens and community advocates, we have a duty to call for urgent action. We need our government to not only provide the necessary funds but also ensure transparency and accountability in vaccine procurement and distribution. It’s time to put the health of our children first and hold the government accountable for its obligations under the constitution.

The time for action is now. Our children’s health is at stake, and we must ensure that the right to life-saving vaccines is upheld for every child in Kenya. Let us raise our voices together and demand that the government takes immediate action to resolve this vaccine crisis before more lives are lost.

#HealthForAll #VaccineRights #ProtectOurChildren #HumanRights #Kenya