Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
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,
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Child Immunization Issue and Vaccines situation in Kenya @MinHealthKE
Dear Citizen Advocates,
Greetings from KANCO Secretariat in this new month September 1, 2015. Aren’t we glad that we are alive to continue making the world a better place?
In August 24, 2015 KANCO sent out the attached Action Sheet. It highlights the Child Immunization Issue for our advocacy from Sept to Nov 2015. We hope that the issue has geared you up for some action. The latest statistics illustrates that more than 400,000 Kenyan children are not fully protected from lifesaving vaccines despite them being relatively cost effective and has the highest impact on Kenya’s economy.
Imagine as children, if you and I were not vaccinated against diseases like diarrhoea, whooping cough, TB and polio. The reality in Kenya is that more children are not being vaccinated every year. The UNICEF report reveals that a new-born in Kenya and Burundi has the lowest chance in East Africa of surviving to celebrate their 5th birthday!
Vaccines in Kenya has faced a lot of controversies lately further depriving the children the right to access vaccines. However, these controversies were settled. The Catholic Church softened its position and said that the vaccines are safe. Pope Francis will come before the end of the year to reiterate the same. The Ministry of Health which is the major Authority says the vaccines are safe. Nonetheless, children’s rights to lifesaving vaccines are being violated.
We are advocating on behalf of children who cannot access the vaccines by themselves. We are asking the Government to prioritize child health in Kenya. Please read the attached action sheet for more information. Consider taking action today so as to save a whole generation.
Kenya’s vision 2030 is depends on a people that are healthy. If we save the lives of children now, they will live long enough to realize vision 2030 on their 15th birthday. But currently we are grappling with the fact that only 68% of the children are accessing vaccines, it is even worse in Mandera where only 27.7% of the children are fully protected from vaccine preventable illnesses. A whole generation wiped out and denied the right to live.
Take action NOW, invite your group members. We are looking forward to your reports on the action you have taken.
Sincerely,
JOYCE MATOGO
Sunday, 11 October 2015
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