Kenya builds capacity to produce its own vaccines through WHO mRNA transfer

Kenya has joined the WHO-MPP mRNA Technology Transfer Project to develop local mRNA vaccine manufacturing capacity, with training and infrastructure upgrades planned for the Kenya BioVax Institute and scientific support from KEMRI.

Kenya has joined a global programme to develop local vaccine manufacturing, announced at a launch in Nairobi. According to the World Health Organization, Africa produces less than 1% of the vaccines it consumes while carrying a disproportionate share of the world's infectious disease burden. The WHO and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) mRNA Technology Transfer Project was set up after the COVID-19 pandemic to teach selected countries how to produce mRNA-based vaccines. The Kenya BioVax Institute will receive end-to-end training and upgrades at its Embakasi facility, with scientific contribution from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Key facts: - Kenya officially joined the WHO‑MPP mRNA Technology Transfer Project in Nairobi, with the launch presided over by Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services. - The programme selects countries for local production training; Kenya is one of six African participants and the overall effort now includes 15 partner institutions across six WHO regions. - The Kenya BioVax Institute will receive training and technical support covering research and development through large-scale production, and its Embakasi infrastructure is being upgraded. - KEMRI is named as a key research partner and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board is working with partners on regulatory standards for locally produced vaccines. - The mRNA platform can be applied to multiple diseases that affect the region, including malaria, tuberculosis and outbreak-prone infections, and can be redirected for emergency responses. Summary: The programme aims to reduce reliance on imported vaccines and to build domestic production capacity that can support regional health needs. Training, facility upgrades at Embakasi and regulatory work are underway and will be supported by WHO and programme partners as Kenya develops local manufacturing capability.