Kenya to procure 2M Mpox vaccines amid rising cases

KENYA— In response to the ongoing  spread of Mpox, the Kenyan government has declared that it will obtain Mpox vaccinations, with 2 million doses expected from a Danish-based Nordic manufacturer by December.

The statement comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared Mpox a public health emergency.

During a press conference, Health Director-General Patrick Amoth outlined the government’s strategy, emphasizing that the vaccines will be prioritized for the most vulnerable groups, mirroring the approach taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 “At one point, we shall bring back vaccines into the country. You heard when Africa CDC declared the effects; they stated that Africa requires 10 million doses of vaccine. We are assured by the Nordic manufacturer that by the end of the year, we will have about 2 million doses,” Amoth stated.

 He further elaborated that due to the limited availability of vaccines, prioritization will be essential, focusing on high-risk populations.

Director-General Amoth also highlighted the increased transmissibility and threat posed by the clade 1b strain of Mpox.

To address this concern, the government will conduct genetic sequencing to understand the variant’s composition and enhance response strategies.

In addition to this, several other measures have been put in place to boost the country’s preparedness and response.

Among these measures are heightened surveillance at all points of entry and the intensification of training for healthcare workers on Mpox identification and diagnosis.

 The government has established four dedicated laboratories for Mpox testing and has an additional 100 laboratories on standby for further support if necessary.

The Ministry of Health has also assured the public of rapid response teams ready to tackle any suspected cases of Mpox.

 To date, over 300,000 travelers have been screened, and 29 suspected cases have been tested—all returning negative results.

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa elaborated on the testing process, noting that suspected cases are currently being analyzed at the Ministry of Health National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL), in collaboration with partner institutions such as KEMRI.

Additionally, counties nationwide have activated their emergency response mechanisms, with 25 County Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) in operation to coordinate efforts.

“All counties have been directed to activate their Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), which are crucial for case investigation and contact tracing,” Barasa added.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus that spreads mostly by direct contact with sick people, contaminated personal items, or sexual contact.

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