Kenya to Roll Out First Locally Manufactured Kenyan Polio Vaccine by 2027

Kenya is set to achieve a historic milestone in healthcare with the rollout of its first locally manufactured Kenyan Polio Vaccine by 2027. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the plan on Monday after a strategic engagement with the Board and senior management of the Kenya BioVax Institute.

During the meeting, CS Duale reviewed progress on the vaccine manufacturing programme, describing it as a key pillar of Kenya’s universal health coverage (UHC) agenda. The initiative aims to ensure affordable and reliable vaccines are widely accessible, with the Kenyan Polio Vaccine leading the way.

“The session reviewed critical milestones, including the trial batch of Kenya’s first locally manufactured Kenyan Polio Vaccine, scheduled for release by the end of 2027,” CS Duale stated on his social media accounts.

The Health CS confirmed that the first phase of the manufacturing facility has been completed, fully funded by the government. The project is now in its second phase, focusing on systems integration and installation of advanced equipment, including fill-and-finish technology required for vaccine production.

Kenya has been transitioning from a vaccine consumer to a manufacturer, a shift accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and leading to the establishment of the Kenya BioVax Institute in 2021. The government aims to strengthen local vaccine production, starting with the Kenyan Polio Vaccine, which will be the first of its kind produced in the country.

CS Duale also highlighted Kenya’s attainment of World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3, a regulatory milestone achieved with support from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the National Quality Control Laboratory. This status allows for local pharmaceutical manufacturing and boosts global confidence in Kenya’s regulatory systems, positioning the country as a regional hub for vaccine production, including the Kenyan Polio Vaccine.

The Health CS credited strategic partnerships, including support from the World Bank through the Regional Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRRP) programme. This programme strengthens healthcare systems, expands pharmaceutical capacity, and improves national emergency preparedness.

During an interactive session with staff at the Institute, Duale emphasized transparency and accountability in public service, which he noted are vital for delivering people-centred healthcare.

Once fully operational, the Kenya BioVax Institute is expected to reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported vaccines, enhance health security, and support economic growth under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The first locally produced Kenyan Polio Vaccine will mark a significant step toward achieving these goals.