NAIROBI, Kenya— Kenya has received its first shipment of MPOX vaccines and is preparing to launch a targeted vaccination campaign aimed at the most vulnerable groups across 13 high-risk counties.
Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed on Thursday morning that the first batch of 10,700 doses had arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the result of a collaborative effort between the government and international development partners.
The vaccination campaign comes as Kenya grapples with a growing number of MPOX infections.
Since December 2024, confirmed cases have more than doubled from 32 to 68, with one death reported.
Muthoni emphasized that the new vaccines will be critical in curbing the virus’s spread, particularly in counties that serve as key entry points into the country.
“While vaccination is not the ultimate solution, it represents a crucial step in controlling the virus that has impacted numerous African countries,” said one of the development partners involved in the effort.
The vaccine’s efficacy stands at 82% after the full two-dose regimen, administered four weeks apart.
Health officials are optimistic that additional doses will become available soon.
Kenya continues to work with more international partners to secure the resources needed to protect its population and prevent the virus from spreading beyond its borders.
