Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale earlier on Thursday, April 10, announced the arrival of the Mpox vaccine. The outbreak of the Mpox disease has led to the urge for Kenyans to receive the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine.
On Thursday, April 10, CS Duale confirmed that the country has received 10,700 doses of the modified vaccine. The government plans to distribute the dose to 13 counties. CS Duale further explained that the vaccine will not target the general population in Kenya.
List of Counties to Receive Vaccines
According to the CS for Health, the dosage shall be dispatched to high-risk groups of people in the following counties: Busia, Mombasa, Nakuru, Bungoma, Makueni, Nairobi, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Uasin Gishu, Migori, and Kericho. The counties have recorded a total of 65 cases of Mpox disease.
CS Duale intends to prioritize high-risk groups that include those who have been in physical contact with Mpox patients. Additionally, the sex workers, drivers, and healthcare workers who interact mostly with patients.
“These vaccines have been received through collaborative efforts by the Government of Kenya Alliance,’ CS Duale said. He further said, “The deployment will not target the general population but will prioritize high-risk groups, starting with the counties reporting confirmed cases.”
Additionally, Aden Duale assured that the Mpox vaccines feature 82 percent vaccine effectiveness (VE). The effectiveness works when the patients or high-risk individuals take two doses two weeks apart. The vaccine offers the best solution to the disease.
A breakdown from Cs Aden Duale
As CS Aden Duale reported, there are 67 cases, where one person has been confirmed dead. Also, 49 patients have recovered, seven under home-based care, and 10 got admitted. The ministry had announced the presence of the Mpox disease since December 31, 2024.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health urges Kenyans to adhere to the outlined preventive measures. Some of the preventive measures include good hygiene, limiting sexual partners, and, most importantly, reporting the Mpox victims.
