Kenya is aiming to commence domestic manufacturing of Covid Vaccines by April next year, according to Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe of the Ministry of Health.
Kagwe was addressing the inauguration of the new Kenya Biovax Institute Board at Kikaloh Grand Resort in Machakos (KBI).
He explained that the vaccine production factory was established to address the country’s vulnerability to future health emergencies, as demonstrated by the Covid 19 epidemic, which left the country and continent without vaccines.
“We presently import almost 70% of all medical products in the country, including vaccines and biologics. Because importation occupies a large portion of our health budget, this sometimes means that we are unable to get necessary goods owing to logistical challenges,” Kagwe stated.
The partnership will begin with a form and fill capability at the production plant located at the new KEMSA Headquarters in Embakasi.
He stated that the basic legal and industrial prerequisites for local fill and finish vaccine manufacturing had been mostly met.
The construction of a completely local vaccine production process has begun with the help of KEMRI, which will continue to be the primary partner in capacity building.
He went on to say that Kenya has already begun talks with a number of countries, as well as vaccine manufacturers, to put the plan into action.
