Alarming Drop in Childhood Vaccinations in Kenya: 133,000 Children Missed Routine Immunizations in 2024
Alarming Drop in Childhood Vaccinations in Kenya: 133,000 Children Missed Routine Immunizations in 2024
A new WHO and UNICEF report revealed a dramatic rise of 90,000 from the previous year. Kenya now accounts for 4.7% of zero-dose children in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Only 4 of 14 vaccines under the Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunization (KEPI) met the 90% coverage target, leaving many children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
The measles-rubella and oral polio vaccines were hit hard by stock-outs, with 178,000 children missing the first measles dose.
Although HPV vaccine coverage saw a major jump—from 4% to 79% for the first dose among girls aged 9–14—completion remains low at 36%.
The WHO flagged recurring measles vaccine shortages and supply chain issues dating back to 2018. Worryingly, eight vaccines saw lower coverage than in 2023, reversing global trends of modest improvement.
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
