Kenya Files an Intent to Join International Vaccine Institute

Kenya has initiated the process of joining the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) as a member.

On Thursday, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua submitted a letter of intent to the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Director-General Jerome Kim at a meeting chaired by President Ruto in Seoul, South Korea.

Speaking during the meeting, President Ruto said Kenya will follow the membership process because there is a lot to gain for the country and the region.

He further pointed out that the government will partner with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), IVI and other institutions in the production of pharmaceuticals and the development of vaccines.

“We want to develop vaccines in Kenya that is why we started the Kenya Biovax Institute as a vehicle for working with other stakeholders and institutions,” Ruto said.

Biovax is a state cooperation tasked with the mandate of manufacturing, packaging, and commercialization of specialized health products and technologies including vaccines and therapeutics.