Newborns will be the first recipients of Kenya’s locally made pneumonia vaccines. The Embakasi vaccine plant is being fast-tracked through partnerships with the World Bank and the Korean government.
Kenya’s long push to produce its own vaccines is taking shape, with officials confirming that the first doses of pneumonia vaccines for newborns will roll out once production begins.
Dr Charles Githinji, chair of the Kenya BioVax Institute board, said the project aims to reduce dependence on external suppliers, a challenge that became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The institute is racing against time to complete the Embakasi-based manufacturing plant.
Speaking during a consultation forum with the World Bank, Dr Githinji expressed confidence that Kenya will unveil its first trial batch before 2027 ends.
“By the end of 2027, we shall be able to come here to inaugurate the first batch of vaccines. It’s the first of its kind in Kenya,” he said.
He noted that no private-sector firm is currently producing vaccines in Kenya, making the project a national milestone.
According to Dr Wesley Rono, Chief Officer at BioVax, the plant is designed to manufacture about six million doses every month, translating to 72 million vaccines annually.
He said the focus will remain on vaccines that are critical to Kenya’s routine immunisation programmes.
Dr Rono also confirmed that talks with potential partners are ongoing to speed up construction and ensure the facility meets global standards.
World Bank specialists praised the project, saying it aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to have the continent produce 60% of its pharmaceutical needs by 2040.
Ramesh Govindaraj, a Lead Specialist at the bank, highlighted Kenya’s inclusion among the first beneficiaries of a USD 1.5 billion programme supporting vaccine manufacturing in Africa.
Dr Benard Olayo, Senior Health Specialist at the World Bank, said Kenya will receive USD 120 million under the programme’s current phase
