Kenya Builds Local Vaccine Manufacturing with WHO-Supported mRNA Platform and Three-Phase Plan

Kenya is building the capacity to manufacture its own vaccines locally, with the launch of a World Health Organization (WHO) and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) mRNA Technology Transfer Project in Nairobi and a three-phase strategy to sustain childhood immunisation as the country transitions from international support.

Africa produces less than 1% of the vaccines it consumes, yet carries a disproportionate share of the world's infectious disease burden. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when global demand surged, lower-income countries were consistently last to receive vaccines, with some waiting years while wealthier nations secured multiple rounds of supply. The WHO-MPP mRNA Technology Transfer Programme was established in direct response to that experience, teaching selected countries in Africa and other low- and middle-income regions how to produce messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines themselves, using the same technology platform that proved effective during the pandemic.

Kenya is one of six African countries selected to participate in the programme, which is supported by a South African manufacturing consortium and now spans 15 partner institutions across six WHO regions worldwide. Through the arrangement, the Kenya BioVax Institute will receive end-to-end training and technical support, covering the full process from research and development through to large-scale vaccine production. Infrastructure at the Institute's Embakasi facility is being upgraded to support this work, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) will contribute its scientific expertise as a key research partner.

At the 16th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference, a research scientist at KEMRI and leader of the vaccine research team outlined a three-phase strategy to ensure the country can meet national and regional vaccine demand. The first phase, "fill and finish," imports bulk vaccine antigens from licensed manufacturers for local packaging and distribution. Childhood vaccines are the priority, as Kenya prepares to graduate from Gavi, the global vaccine alliance that has co-financed immunisation programmes. "The fill and finish phase ensures our immunisation programmes continue seamlessly once Gavi support ends," the scientist said.

The second phase will establish a "smart vaccine facility" at Konza Technopolis, allowing end-to-end local production through technology transfer from Korean partners. Initial targets include typhoid conjugate and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, with plans to expand production over time. The third phase focuses on research and development, led by KEMRI and local universities, with vaccine candidates for priority diseases such as malaria, rotavirus, Shigella, and cholera to be developed and scaled up by Kenya BioVax for mass production.

Kenya is also establishing an mRNA vaccine platform with support from the WHO, which will enable locally developed vaccines against emerging diseases and future health emergencies. The mRNA platform is not limited to a single disease; Kenya's scientists have been encouraged to apply the technology to diseases that continue to affect the region, including malaria, tuberculosis, and outbreak-prone infections such as Rift Valley fever. Should a health emergency arise, the same platform can be rapidly redirected to produce a response, shortening the time it takes for effective countermeasures to reach affected populations.

Quality assurance is central to the strategy. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board oversees vaccine regulation and secured WHO maturity level 3 certification to meet international standards, allowing procurement by organizations like UNICEF. The National Quality Control Labs also monitors vaccine quality, with ongoing efforts to strengthen capacity. Market access remains a key challenge, as neighbouring countries may still rely on Gavi support; officials are engaging partners early and exploring continent-wide coordination through the African Union to avoid duplication and ensure vaccines reach countries that need them.

Construction of the fill and finish facility by Kenya BioVax in Embakasi is underway, with enabling infrastructure like water and sewer lines complete. The research scientist estimates the facility will be ready by 2027, with the first locally produced vaccines available by 2028. "Local vaccine manufacturing is essential to prevent disruptions in immunisation programmes, ensure health security, and support economic growth," he said. "These facilities create jobs and strengthen pharmaceutical sovereignty."

The Principal Secretary for Medical Services at the Ministry of Health, who presided over the launch, noted: "The COVID-19 pandemic exposed our vulnerabilities, highlighting the necessity for Africa to develop its own manufacturing. Investing in local manufacturing not only strengthens our health systems but also creates jobs and stimulates economic growth." The WHO Kenya technical lead for essential drugs and medicines added: "When a country can produce its own vaccines, it can protect its own people without depending on external supply chains that may not always be reliable or accessible."