BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
Health Non-Governmental Organizations Network (HENNET) -an organization that coordinates Health Civil Society organizations has called on the Kenyan Government to allocate adequate funds for immunization.
During the immunization week which ended yesterday (Thursday) with the theme Vaccines Work for All, HENNET CEO Dr Mercy Onsando said annual budget requirements for vaccination is projected at Kenya Shillings 6.5 billion.
Onsando said the government allocates inadequate funds to immunization.
She said immunization might collapse as GAVI -which is the donor funding that caters for immunization with over 80 percent will be ending its support in 2028.
She said there is an increase in the number of children unable to receive vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am calling on the government to increase budget allocation for procurement, distribution and operations for immunization services. We also want timely release of funds to avoid stock out, “she said.
HENNET advocacy Officer Peninah Kamau said the world’s attention has been turned to Covid-19 and that Kenya has not been spared.
She said this is likely to affect the routine of immunization services and campaigns.
“We the Health NGOs urge the policy makers to prioritize immunization through allocation of sufficient funding for through immunization we will prevent diseases, reduce mortality and avoid over stretching our health facilities as people seek for treatment,” Kamau said.
She added that this will ensure that the economy is not constrained.
It is estimated that every Kenya shilling invested on immunization saves an average of shs 16 in the health sector.