Posted on :Wednesday , 10th April 2024

To improve vaccine storage, the Nyeri County government will provide 60 coolers to public health facilities and dispensaries for Sh30 million. 

Eight sub-counties will receive the cold chain (regular immunisation) equipment, which is used to store vaccines, at a few chosen health facilities. 

Governor Mutahi Kahiga declared during the flagging-off of the equipment at his office, "This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of our citizens, particularly our children,"

He mentioned that vaccinations intended for youngsters will be stored on the apparatus. "Considering its effect on lowering morbidity and mortality, vaccination is a cost-effective public health intervention and plays a pivotal role in protecting our communities against preventable diseases," he stated. 

Governor Kahiga continued, "Vaccine administration will be aided by the efficacy of immunisation programmes and the availability of cold chain infrastructure to store and transport vaccines." 

The governor stated that the Ministry of Health, the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) collaborated after a 2016 national inventory survey found deficiencies in the availability of cold chain equipment. 

According to him, Kenya received a three-year funding from the GAVI Cold Chain Equipment Optimisation Platform (CCEOP) in response to this in order to enhance the cold chain's ability to store vaccines in accordance with the Cold Chain Equipment Expansion and Rehabilitation.

1,483 units of cold chain equipment were purchased through this programme and distributed around the nation. The initiative benefited Nyeri County, according to Kahiga. 

"The most recent cold chain equipment, such as freezers, refrigerators and temperature monitoring devices, will increase the capacity of the current cold chain equipment to efficiently store and distribute vaccines to improve immunisation delivery," Governor Kahiga stated.

He clarified that after the equipment is installed, recently educated Bio-Medical Engineers will carry out an independent, external post-installation evaluation on behalf of GAVI, with UNICEF as the evaluator.

Kahiga noted that by addressing under and unreached children in all 131 public health institutions spread throughout the eight sub-counties, this expenditure will support vaccine equity.