Kenya Faces Looming Vaccine Crisis Over Delayed Gavi Payment

NAIROBI, Kenya – June 4, 2025
Kenya’s national immunization program is teetering on the brink of disruption amid alarming delays in government co-payments to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Health officials have sounded the alarm, warning that the country’s failure to remit a crucial KSh 1.6 billion installment could spark a nationwide vaccine shortage—placing the health of thousands of children at serious risk.

A Crisis in the Making

According to official correspondence from Gavi, the delayed funding threatens the uninterrupted supply of lifesaving childhood vaccines, including those for measles, polio, and pneumonia. Gavi’s warning comes as public health systems around the world remain on high alert, especially following a recent measles outbreak in the United States that has already claimed three lives—highlighting the dangers of waning vaccine coverage.

“This is not just an accounting issue—it’s a public health emergency in slow motion,” said one Nairobi-based immunization expert. “Delays today could lead to disease outbreaks tomorrow.”

Potential Fallout for Kenya’s Children

If the co-payment shortfall is not urgently addressed, routine immunization drives across Kenya could grind to a halt. Healthcare professionals fear the resulting vaccine gaps could reverse decades of progress in curbing preventable diseases, especially in rural and underserved communities.

The situation raises broader concerns about fiscal prioritization and government accountability in safeguarding public health infrastructure. Experts warn that Kenya, which has long been lauded for its partnership with Gavi and strides in vaccine coverage, now risks undermining hard-won gains.

Mounting Pressure on Government

With pressure mounting, public health advocates and civil society groups are calling on the government to expedite the payment and secure vaccine shipments already in the supply pipeline. Some warn that any further delay could lead to stockouts, canceled vaccination clinics, and potential loss of donor confidence.

“Immunization is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline,” said a senior official at the Ministry of Health, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Every day we delay, we increase the risk to our children.”

As Gavi awaits Kenya’s next move, the spotlight is now squarely on the Treasury and the Ministry of Health. For thousands of Kenyan families, the stakes could not be higher.