Parents across the country continue to bear the pain of a shortage of vaccines meant for children, having to travel long distances to ensure their children get a jab.
In Baringo, Betty Toroitich is among the parents who visited Baringo Referral Hospital for vaccination. She was forced to travel about 60 Kilometers again to the facility to try her luck after her child missed polio and Pentavalent vaccines.
The pentavalent vaccine protects a child from five life-threatening diseases – Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Hib disease.
“I tried two times unsuccessfully in a clinic in Bartwaba that’s why I decided to travel all the way to Baringo only to find that there is shortage here too,” she said.
Another parent noted that the trips to a health facility are disappointing because they always go back home with unvaccinated children. In Kisii parents lament over the shortage. Felix Odhiambo says his child missed vaccination last month for the polio and BCG vaccination.
“We appeal to the government to ensure the safety of our children by providing us with the vaccines. We live in fear that the more our children continue to miss out on vacation may affect their overall health,’ he said.
Speaking on the Sema Na Citizen Show, Dr. Ngala Mwendwa noted that vaccines play a huge role in ensuring that children do not die of fatal yet preventable diseases.
“The situation is wanting and it is the work of the government to ensure that all children in the country are vaccinated otherwise we will just undo the efforts made over the years,” he said.
Although delay is expected because of unpredictable circumstances, the doctor notes the government should be prepared for the delay.
According to the doctor, the delay in vaccination will affect the child’s immunity and that is why we emphasizes timely vaccination
“It is important to work with the timeline because there are vaccines like Rotavirus that we do not vaccinate against children who are above five years because of the serious side effects,” he explained.
Although the child can receive all the vaccines once available, it is important to note that it comes with its own set of side effects.
“The government needs to ensure there is enough money to secure these vaccines for a smooth vaccination process,” he said.
Baringo County Hospital Superintendent Gerishon Abakalwa notes the county is now operating on the red line, with the current stocks of child vaccines projected to last the next two weeks. He expressed concern noting that they are running low on oral polio BCG measles and rubella, as well as yellow fever.
“This is a regional issue and not really a Baringo problem. What we have may not run us up to mid-June when the regional store told us they will be available,” he said.
The nationwide shortage of vaccines has been linked to a Ksh.3.6 billion debt that the government owes UNICEF and GAVI, who procure and distribute vaccines under a co-funding model.
