Kenya to Produce First Locally Made Vaccines by 2027

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Kenya is set to trial its first locally manufactured vaccines by the end of 2027, following the completion of initial works at the country’s new vaccine production plant

Dr. Charles Githinji, chairman of the Kenya BioVax Institute, revealed that newborns will be the first to benefit, receiving pneumonia vaccines once production begins

The Embakasi-based plant, developed in partnership with the World Bank and the Korean government, is on track for completion, with efforts underway to fast-track the project

Speaking at a consultation forum with the World Bank, Dr. Githinji said the institute was created to address challenges in vaccine access during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed confidence in meeting the 2027 target

“Together with my board and management of BioVax, we have a strategy and plan to inaugurate the first batch of vaccines by the end of 2027. It’s the first of its kind in Kenya,” he said

Dr. Wesley Rono, Chief Officer at the institute, said the plant will produce an estimated six million vaccines monthly, or 72 million annually, meeting global standards

“The focus will be on vaccines critical for our immunisation programs,” he added

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Ramesh Govindaraj, Lead Specialist at the World Bank, noted that the initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks for Africa to produce 60% of its pharmaceutical needs by 2040

Kenya and Ethiopia are the first countries to join the program, which will benefit 12 African nations with USD 1.5 billion for manufacturing plants

Dr. Benard Olayo, Senior Health Specialist at the World Bank, said Kenya will receive USD 120 million from the fund, a significant boost toward its vaccine manufacturing goals

The Kenya BioVax Institute’s launch represents a major step in the country’s journey toward vaccine self-sufficiency and enhanced public health security