By Mercy Kachenge and David Maina
Kenya has joined the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) – an international organization with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health-as a member state with an aim to boost its local vaccine production goal, enhancing vaccine access and health security.
Speaking at the accession ceremony which took place at IVI headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula, expressed gratitude to the attendees highlighting the significance of this milestone for public health, achieving Universal Health Coverage and promoting local manufacturing as an economic pillar.
“Kenya will benefit from IVI’s global expertise and pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, including technology transfers for vaccines like cholera, measles, rubella, and typhoid. Kenya will gain from foreign direct investment in vaccine clinical trials, with 2 vaccines projects to the tune of USD 50 million to be hosted at BioVax and KEMRI. This partnership will create employment opportunities and offer extensive training for Kenyan professionals in bio manufacturing.”
CS Nakhumicha said that the move seeks to solidify Kenya’s agenda of working with other institutions to manufacture, package and commercialize specialized health products and technologies including vaccines and therapeutics.
“Investing in vaccines is vital way of combating diseases as immunization has been shown to be the most reliable way of preventing diseases therefore Kenya, as a member state of IVI, stands to benefit immensely from access to vast global network of research and development expertise and pharmaceuticals manufacturers to enable technology transfers for vaccines,” said the CS.
The CS also said that Kenya will host the upcoming IVI Global Council Meetings and will bid for the Presidency of the IVI Global Council, showcasing its leadership in biotechnology and local bio manufacturing in Africa.
In February this year, IVI opened a Country and Project Office in Kenya dedicated to the operations of its Advancing Vaccine End-to-End Capabilities (AVEC) initiative in Africa as well as other collaborations with Kenyan partners such as Kenya BioVax Institute.
Biovax is a state cooperation tasked with the mandate of manufacturing packaging and commercialization of specialized health products and technologies including vaccines and therapeutics.
Consequently, the National Assembly adopted the Report of the Departmental Committee on Health on its consideration of the Agreement on the Establishment of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) thus facilitating Kenya’s integration into a network of vaccine producers, consortia, and health researchers.
Nakhumicha also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and partnership with other African nations.
“By hosting the IVI’s Project Office, Kenya is not only advancing its own biotechnology and bio manufacturing capabilities but also positioning itself as a leader in regional health initiatives,” the CS said.
Nakhumicha said that the set ambitious goals for strengthening medical supply chains and encouraged continued research and innovation to enhance healthcare.
“This strategic move aims to foster stronger ties within the African Union, promoting shared knowledge, resources, and innovations that benefit the entire continent. Nakhumicha called on neighboring countries to join forces in these efforts, underscoring the collective impact of unity and cooperation in addressing public health challenges and achieving sustainable development goals.”
Kenya will work with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), IVI, Biovax and other institutions in the production of pharmaceuticals and development of vaccines.
