Kenya’s Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have urged the government to develop a COVID-19 vaccine strategy to aid in the management of current and future pandemics.
The union requested both the federal and state governments to examine the National Policy Guidelines on Immunization (2013) in order to improve vaccine access to all private healthcare facilities.
The measure, according to KMPDU, will guarantee that the facilities have the necessary capacity to provide equitable vaccine access to all Kenyans.
"A Covid-19 vaccination policy would provide guidance on Covid-19 and similar pandemics now and in the future," according to a KMPDU policy recommendations document. "Both actions (review of guidelines and creation of policy) will also help liberalize the national vaccination process and enhance equitable access to vaccines."
In order to address vaccine supply chain difficulties, the union also requested the government to invest more in vaccine storage facilities at the subnational level.
