No more BCG vaccine shortage, Health Ministry’s Muraguri tells Kenyans

The Principal Secretary of Health Dr. Nicholas Muraguri has today assured Kenyans that the shortage of BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccine has come to an end as the Ministry of Health has received 1.3 million doses of the serum.

In a press release circulated to newsrooms on Saturday, Muraguri said that the vaccines landed in the country on Thursday,  January 7 2015 and the government will be receiving a 3.4 million soon.

Dr. Muraguri explained that the vaccine shortage had been occasioned by production delays of BCG at a global level, leading to limited supplies across the African region.  The circular went further to state that the Ministry of Health had ordered for the vaccine, which protects children from Tuberculosis (TB), in September 2015.

Through the circular, the Ministry sought to allay fears about the risk of the spread of TB stating: “The Ministry of Health would therefore like to reassure parents and the general public that the situation is under control and there is no likelihood of increased spread of Tuberculosis in the country.”

Mother will soon be able to get the vaccines in clinics as the Ministry has tested and distributed the BGC inoculations to the counties.

“The BCG vaccine has undergone the necessary regulatory and safety evaluations, clearance and is currently being distributed to the regional depots in our counties,” read the statement.

According to the distribution list, Eldoret depot which includes: Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, TransNzoia, Turukana, Uasin Gishu and West Pokot, has the highest BCG allocation of 361,100, while Nyeri depot which includes: Nyeri, Laikipia, Embu and Kirinyaga having the lowest allocations of 46,700. However, Nairobi depot which includes: Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Narok and Kajiado has 327,800 BCG allocations.

The BCG Vaccine is effective in reducing the likelihood and severity of TB and TB meningitis especially in children by up to 80%. This is especially important in Kenya where TB is common particularly in urban poor areas, regions with high HIV burden and among nomadic communities.