NAIROBI, April 11 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya has received 10,700 doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) Mpox vaccines to control the ongoing Mpox outbreak.
In a statement, Health CS Aden Duale announced that the vaccines were secured through joint efforts with Africa CDC, the Worls Health Organisation, UNICEF, and GAVI, the vaccine alliance.
“The arrival of the vaccines marks a significant milestone in the national response to interrupt the chain of transmission, and limit further spread of Mpox in the community,” said Duale.
The CS noted that vaccines will be used alongside other response measures such as enhanced surveillance, including at the 26 points of entry, contact tracing, testing of suspected cases, as well as risk communication and community engagement.
“This additional intervention is coming in response to the recent upsurge in Mpox cases in the country, causing a sharp rise of 100% in cases which has doubled the disease burden since 31st December 2024,” Duale stated.
According to the CS, the MVA-BN vaccine has demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing Mpox disease severity, transmission risk, and mortality with the effectiveness estimated to be 82% for 2 doses given four weeks apart.
He revealed that the deployment will not target the general population, but will prioritise high-risk groups, starting with the Counties reporting confirmed cases.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to avoid close contact with suspected or confirmed cases, practice good hygiene, limit sexual partners, and report symptoms promptly.
Since the declaration of the outbreak on 31st July 2024, a total of 67 Mpox cases have been confirmed so far from across 13 counties.
The affected Counties include: Busia (22), Mombasa (12), Nakuru (10), Makueni (6), Bungoma (3), Nairobi (3), Kajiado (2), Taita Taveta (2), Kericho (2), Kilifi (2), Kiambu (1), Uasin Gishu (1) and Migori (1).
Of the reported cases, forty-nine (49) patients have recovered, ten (10) are currently admitted, and seven (7) are under home-based care. One (1) death has been reported, bringing the case fatality rate to 1.5%.
A total of 327 contacts have been listed from the confirmed cases, 274 of which have been followed up for 21 days, 13 contacts have contracted Mpox and 40 are currently on follow-up.
Cumulatively, 4,111,811 travellers screened in 26 Points of Entry, as part of enhance surveillance for the disease. — NNN-KBC
