Nairobi — The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), announced on November 28 that Kenya has been readmitted into its funding mechanism, after a year of suspension triggered by a lack of reliable information on performance.

Making the announcement in Nairobi after a one-week tour of Tanzania and Kenya, Tore Godal, the Executive Secretary of GAVI said "Kenya now has taken measures that would substantially improve its information systems and accurately report on coverage".

Godal noted that his tour in the region saw an improved strategy aimed at increased coverage in the immunisation of children.

Citing Tanzania as an example, he said that the country "has over the last few years managed to put in place fast funds disbursement mechanisms to the grassroots local level, computerised its information systems, and managed to have 90 percent immunisation coverage".

Poor information system and ineffective performance saw Kenya lose out funding in 2002. This, according to Dr James Nyikal, the Director of Medical Services, has created a US$ 30 million gap in the country's immunisation programme. Immunisation in Kenya stands at 80 percent after years of dwindling performance.

GAVI, an alliance made of public-private partnerships, was launched in 2000 to fight declining immunisation rates and growing disparities in access to vaccines among the world's poorest countries.

According to GAVI, of all vaccine preventable diseases, measles remains the leading cause of death among children.

Annually, measles affects over 30 million children, and claims over 745,000 lives, more than half of them in Africa.

Godal said that to qualify for performance-based funding, countries must be able to prove that they are reaching more children.

But in many developing countries, systems to track and monitor delivery of health services and vital health statistics are lacking.