Written by Vanessa Kariuki ||
The government has invested in Kes. 100 million in the development of a training hub for vaccine manufacturing in the country.
President William Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to having a local training centre for the manufacture of vaccines and other medical items as a major priority for his government while on a recent visit to Brussels, Belgium. The president also promised to provide financing during that visit.
With the help of the funds, KEMRI will be able to choose the first group of trainees in vaccine production, among them exceptionally talented graduates from nearby colleges who were chosen for the program on the basis of their qualifications.
The trainees will be assigned to vaccine manufacturing businesses in Europe, Korea, and Japan as part of the program to gain extensive practical experience.
Additionally, the program will seek out Kenyan postdoctoral fellows living abroad to collaborate with KEMRI on research and development projects including the creation of vaccines.
“We have a very highly talented team of Kenyans out there in USA, Canada, and Europe among others who are completing or have completed their PhD programs in vaccine and drug research that KEMRI will be reaching out to,” Prof. Elijah Songok, Acting Director General, KEMRI said while welcoming the government’s move to fund the initiative.
“Many of them are looking for a way to contribute to such home initiatives but there have been limited platforms for engagement. KEMRI shall provide one such avenue,’’ Prof. Songokintimated.
In addition to the lessons from the COVID-19, Kenya is rushing against the clock to develop its own vaccines. With effect from 2027, GAVI (Global Vaccine Initiative), a group that has helped Kenya and other nations get affordable vaccines for their immunization programs, will no longer provide support.
