Kenya Explores Strategic Vaccine Partnerships with IVI on the Margins of WHA78
Geneva, - On the margins of World Health Assembly (WHA) 78, Health Cabinet Secretary Hon Aden Duale held a bilateral engagement with Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), to explore strategic partnerships aimed at advancing vaccine research, development, and manufacturing in Africa.
He emphasized on Kenya’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for vaccine production and highlighted key collaborative proposals. Central to these discussions was the development of joint vaccine research initiatives under the Africa Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) and Africa Vaccine Expertise Collaboration (AVEC) platforms. Kenya seeks IVI’s partnership to co-develop and co-lead at least two proposal submissions by the end of 2025, focusing on vaccines targeting endemic diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, Chikungunya, and Dengue.
Additionally, Hon. Duale proposed the establishment of a Regional Biomanufacturing Workforce Development Centre of Excellence. This center seeks to serve as a core facility for training and capacity building, incorporating simulation laboratories, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-aligned training programs, and practical apprenticeship modules. The government requests IVI’s technical expertise and support in mobilizing resources and designing the center by the end of 2025.
Further ,he highlighted the importance of expanding our representation in the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B). While appreciating the existing capacity-building efforts, urging IVI to increase its training quota to include at least five participants per cycle, prioritizing candidates from Kenya Biovax, regulatory agencies, and academic institutions to bolster the country’s biomanufacturing workforce.
Similarly, with the pending finalization of the Host Country Agreement (HCA) between IVI and the Kenyan government, the two parties discussed immediate collaborative actions. These include identifying quick-win activities such as site assessments, joint missions, and technical secondments within 60 days of signing the agreement, to demonstrate commitment and accelerate progress.
The bilateral engagement signifies Kenya’s proactive approach toward strengthening its vaccine ecosystem through strategic partnerships, capacity building, and regional collaboration with IVI. The initiatives outlined are expected to bolster not only Kenya’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities but also contribute to broader health security and disease prevention efforts across Africa.
The CS was joined in the meeting by Amb. Fancy Too, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Dr. Patric Amoth Director General Health.
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