Kenya receives 10,700 mpox vaccines
Kenya’s Ministry of Health recently received 10,700 doses of the Modified Ankara-Vabarian Nordic (MVA-BN) mpox vaccines. The ministry said the arrival of the vaccines marks a significant milestone in stopping the spread of an outbreak first declared in July 2024. The ministry says Kenya has experienced a 100 percent increase in mpox cases since December.
The vaccination effort prioritizes high-risk groups. Those groups include individuals who have been in close physical contact with a confirmed mpox patient, long-distance drivers, sex workers, and healthcare workers who are providing direct care to mpox patients.
Patients will receive two doses, administered four weeks apart. Authorities will also step up surveillance of points of entry into Kenya, contact tracing, and community engagement in the campaign.
Government data shows a total of 67 confirmed mpox cases in Kenya. One person died, while 49 people recovered.
The ministry urged Kenyans to adhere to recommended pubic health preventive measures to protect themselves from contracting mpox.
