The National Assembly, last week adopted the Report of the Departmental Committee on Health on its consideration of the Agreement on the Establishment of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). This facilitates Kenya's integration into a network of vaccine producers, consortia, and health researchers.

Moving the Motion on the Report, Hon. (Dr.) Robert Pukose (Endebess), who chairs the Departmental Committee on Health, said Kenya will greatly benefit from IVI membership as it will enable knowledge transfer, capacity building in biotechnology and vaccine production.

“This is crucial as vaccine research, development and field research are catalysts to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” said Hon. (Dr.) Pukose.

He stressed the importance of technical and hands-on training across vaccine development and production processes, disease surveillance, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, biosafety, and good manufacturing practices.

Hon. (Dr.) Pukose projected that Kenya's membership in IVI would promote knowledge transfer, enabling self-sufficiency by positioning Kenya as a vaccine producer in the region.

This strategic move, he said, would not only benefit Kenya but also create revenue streams by supplying vaccines to neighboring countries.

“We must be in the forefront in having our own institute, Biovax, that can manufacture for us our own vaccines, not just for outbreaks, but also for infectious diseases and, more so, among the children,” he said.

Hon. (Dr.) Pukose emphasized Kenya's existing capability in vaccine production for animals through the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), indicating vaccine production is not a new phenomenon for Kenya.

In supporting IVI membership, Hon. (Dr.) Pukose underscored its critical role in supporting the functions of Kenya Biovax Institute (KBI) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), two Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) under the Ministry of Health.

 “KEMRI is involved in research and the Kenya Biovax Institute is involved in production and marketing of vaccines. In recognition of this, the KBI and KEMRI shall enter into a strategic collaborative partnership in technology transfer and manufacturing support,” he said.  

Currently, the IVI supports the KBI as it seeks to establish itself in bio manufacturing of human vaccines.