MPs have approved the establishment of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) in the country.
The institute is expected to bolster vaccine research, development, and training in Kenya and across Africa.
Endebess MP Robert Pukose, while moving an adoption Motion on Report of the Departmental Committee on Health on its consideration of the Agreement on the Establishment of the International Vaccine Institute, said the facility will enable knowledge transfer, capacity building in biotechnology and vaccine production.
“Vaccine research, development and field research are catalysts to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage,” Pukose said.
The International Vaccine Institute is a non-profit international organization, established on May 12 1997, as an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme.
The institute's core mission is to discover, develop, and distribute safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for the betterment of global public health.
Pukose said the institute would not only benefit Kenya but also create revenue streams for the government by supplying vaccines to neighbouring countries.
Currently, the IVI supports the Kenya Biovax Institute as it seeks to establish itself in the manufacturing of human vaccines.
The support is through developing research plans, creating partnership opportunities and enhancing capacity through training and technical assistance.
BioVax will manufacture and commercialise vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. It is currently at an advanced stage to set up a fully-fledged facility at Konza Technopolis.
The government spends about Sh4 billion to support 12 per cent of the vaccination programme while Gavi and Unicef expend Sh32 billion to support the State, Biovax CEO Dr Michael Lusiola said in a recent interview.
Through the IVI arrangement, African countries such as Egypt and Senegal are already benefiting as their researchers attend highly regarded vaccinology courses offered by IVI in Korea.
“The countries have collaborated in vaccine efficacy studies. Kenya can, therefore, expect similar benefits as the country implements its paradigm shift from curative to preventive and promotive healthcare,” stated Pukose.
With a specific focus on combating infectious diseases that disproportionately affect the world's most vulnerable populations, IVI endeavours to make vaccines readily available and accessible to communities in developing regions.
Headquartered in Seoul and hosted by the Republic of South Korea, IVI operates as a collaborative effort involving 39 member countries and the World Health Organization.
