Kenya Faces Temporary Shortage of Rotavirus Vaccine for Infants
The rotavirus vaccine is an oral immunisation administered to protect young children from severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration caused by rotavirus infection
By : Mweru Mbugua
The Ministry of Health has announced a temporary disruption in the supply of the rotavirus vaccine used in Kenya’s routine immunisation programme for infants
The rotavirus vaccine is an oral immunisation administered to protect young children from severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration caused by rotavirus infection
In a statement issued on Thursday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale revealed that the country is experiencing a shortage of the Rotavac Frozen vaccine. The vaccine is normally administered to infants at six, ten, and fourteen weeks of age to guard against rotavirus infections
According to the ministry, the disruption follows a notification from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, indicating that the vaccine manufacturer, Bharat Biotech, is currently facing production delays due to facility upgrades. The delays are expected to affect global vaccine deliveries between 2026 and 2027
As of March 3, 2026, Kenya had approximately 4,000 doses of the vaccine remaining at the national level—an amount projected to last less than one month
A shipment that had initially been expected in January 2026 has been delayed, with the earliest anticipated delivery now projected for the end of April
The Ministry of Health stated that it is working closely with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners to accelerate vaccine shipments, redistribute the remaining doses across counties, and monitor stock levels to minimise disruptions to immunisation services
Parents and caregivers have been urged to continue taking their children for routine immunisation visits despite the shortage
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CS Duale also appealed to families to observe proper hygiene practices, including regular handwashing with soap, treatment of drinking water, proper food handling, and maintaining clean household environments to help prevent the spread of infections
He assured the public that the government is collaborating with global partners to restore normal vaccine supply as soon as possible
“Protecting the health of all children remains our highest priority,” the statement said in part
