Global Health Advocacy Incubator's new podcast episode examines Kenya's April 2025 vaccine stockouts across 12 counties and highlights policy options to prevent future disruptions.
-- The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) has released its latest podcast episode, analyzing Kenya's recent vaccine shortages and the systemic gaps that placed routine childhood immunizations at risk. The April 2025 stockouts affected 12 counties and forced some families to travel across borders to secure essential vaccines for their children.
The full podcast is available at https://www.advocacyincubator.org/one-shot-long-life/episode-6-reversing-kenyas-vaccine-stockouts
The episode, part of the "One Shot, Long Life!" series, features in-depth interviews with Hon. James Nyikal, a physician and member of Parliament's Health Committee, and Faith Ndungu from the Health NGOs Network (HENNET). Host Abel Akara Ticha guides the discussion on procurement delays, funding shortfalls, and structural vulnerabilities that contributed to the supply crisis.
Guests recount the realities on the ground, including healthcare workers who were unable to provide routine vaccines and parents who crossed into Uganda to immunize their children. Experts warn that prolonged shortages risk triggering outbreaks of measles, polio, and other preventable diseases, undermining Kenya’s immunization gains.
The conversation also explores Kenya's transition away from support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which is scheduled to end in 2029. Financing alternatives such as social health insurance models are examined, alongside legislative measures proposed by Hon. Nyikal to ensure stable vaccine procurement. Ndungu highlights recent advocacy successes, including the Kenya Women's Parliamentary Association's role in securing co-financing payments for vaccines.
Despite these challenges, Kenya maintains national immunization coverage above 80% as of May 2025, according to Ministry of Health data. The country has also advanced efforts in local vaccine production through the Kenya Bio-Vaccines Institute, a partnership with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), aimed at strengthening long-term supply chain resilience.
The podcast episode provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and health advocates seeking to reinforce immunization systems across Africa.
About the Global Health Advocacy Incubator
The Global Health Advocacy Incubator partners with civil society organizations, governments, and stakeholders to advance public health through policy change. Over the past decade, it has supported policy victories benefiting more than 4 billion people across 32 countries. GHAI provides technical assistance to strengthen advocacy capacity and focuses on achieving durable health policy reforms at the national and local levels.
To access the complete episode, visit https://www.advocacyincubator.org/one-shot-long-life/episode-6-reversing-kenyas-vaccine-stockouts
Contact Info:
Name: Jen Patterson
Email: Send Email
Organization: Global Health Advocacy Incubator
Address: 1400 I Street Northwest Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005, United States
Website: https://www.advocacyincubator.org/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89169106
Should there be any problems, inaccuracies, or doubts arising from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down, we urge you to notify us immediately by contacting error@releasecontact.com (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our efficient team will promptly address your concerns within 8 hours, taking necessary steps to rectify identified issues or assist with the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is central to our commitment.
