NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 22 — Kenya has been chosen to host the continental headquarters of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) after a successful bidding process.
IVI is a nonprofit international organization dedicated to global health through vaccines and vaccinations.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha made the announcement Thursday when she appeared before the Departmental Committee on Health at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi.
She reiterated Kenya’s commitment to vaccine manufacturing and its efforts to become a regional hub for specialized health products and technologies.
The Health CS singled out vaccines for childhood, adolescent girls, and maternal immunization as the main areas of focus
The IVI consists of a multidisciplinary team comprising biomedical scientists, infectious disease experts, health professionals, and humanitarian leaders.
Founded in 1997 as an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), IVI, headquartered in Seoul, Korea, concentrates on developing vaccines against infectious diseases that disproportionately affect the world’s most impoverished populations.
“We aim to make vaccines available and accessible for vulnerable populations in developing countries,” states IVI on its official website.
This development aligns with Kenya’s ongoing efforts to enhance its capacity in vaccine prevention, preparedness, and response to outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics.