The Epinhood (TEH)

MPOX – KENYA (03): UPDATE, VACCINE

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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Thu 10 Apr 2025
Source: Nation Africa [edited] https://nation.africa/kenya/health/mpox-vaccination-planned-in-13-high-risk-counties-4997632

Kenya will soon launch its first mpox vaccination campaign in 13
counties to prevent transmission of the virus.

This follows the arrival of 10 700 doses of the Modified Vaccinia
Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine, a collaboration between the
Government of Kenya and international partners including the World
Health Organization, UNICEF, GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance, and the CDC
in Africa.

The 13 counties selected for the initial rollout include Busia,
Mombasa, Nakuru, Makueni, Bungoma, Nairobi, Kajiado, Taita Taveta,
Kericho, Kilifi, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu and Migori.

The vaccine, which has been shown to be up to 82% effective in
reducing disease severity, transmission, and mortality, will be
administered in a phased approach, focusing on those at highest risk,
including people who have had close physical contact with confirmed
cases, populations at increased risk such as long-distance truck
drivers and sex workers, and healthcare workers who provide direct
care to mpox patients.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale said the rollout, which will
begin in the coming months, is an important milestone and will serve
as an additional public health measure to complement a comprehensive
response to the mpox outbreak that includes other interventions.

“The mpox vaccination campaign will not target the general population
but will prioritize high-risk groups, starting with the 13 counties
currently reporting confirmed cases. The rollout will not be
nationwide at this stage but will focus on the affected counties, with
adjustments made as the situation evolves. This vaccine is not a
silver bullet, but one of several public health measures being used as
part of a comprehensive response to the outbreak. It complements our
broader efforts to contain and manage mpox in Kenya,” said CS Duale.

As of April 2025, Kenya has reported 68 confirmed cases of mpox, more
than double the 32 cases reported on 31 Dec 2024. Of the 68 patients,
49 have recovered, 10 are currently in the hospital, and 7 are
receiving home care. There has been one death from mpox, giving a case
fatality rate of 1.5%.

In addition to vaccination and screening efforts, the Ministry of
Health is conducting laboratory tests to identify and isolate new
cases. The National Public Health Laboratory has processed 485 samples
from suspected cases, of which 68 were positive, giving a positivity
rate of 13.8%, while 414 samples were negative.

Contact tracing is ongoing, and 327 people have been identified as
contacts of confirmed cases. Of these, 274 have completed the
mandatory 21-day surveillance period, 13 have tested positive, and 40
remain under surveillance.

Mpox was first confirmed in Kenya in 2023, with sporadic cases
occurring throughout the year. However, the situation has deteriorated
in recent months, requiring a more urgent and coordinated response.

To prevent the virus from spreading, the Ministry of Health has
stepped up surveillance and screening, particularly at border points.
To date, more than 4.1 million travelers have been screened at 26
official entry points.

[Byline: Linet Owoko]