The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has revealed plans to set up a regional office in Nairobi.
IVI selected Kenya for the headquarters following a meeting with President William Ruto, who is in Asia for the South Korea - Africa Summit.
Additionally, the announcement was made after Kenya officially joined the international vaccine body as a member state.
Ruto explained that the move was necessary and would benefit Kenya in terms of availability and delivery of vaccines.
"Kenya has formally joined the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) as a Member State, strengthening our country's resolve to achieve self-reliance in vaccine production.
"During the accession ceremony of Kenya at IVI headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, in the company of IVI Director-General Jerome Kim. IVI committed to establishing a Country and Project Office in Nairobi, which will be the regional headquarters," read the statement in part.
Currently, IVI has 40 member states including India, the Netherlands, Turkey, Spain, Rwanda, Jamaica, China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is also a member of the international body.
"IVI meets regularly with the embassies of its member states and signatory countries to exchange information and discuss collaborative opportunities. IVI’s state funders participate in IVI’s governance, where they can influence institutional policies and strategy.
"IVI places no financial obligations on its member states, but IVI strives to provide a return on investment to its state funders through a variety of collaborative development opportunities," IVI explained on its membership.
Roles of IVI
The international body has five major roles and that includes formulating new vaccines and developing new technologies to support clinical testing of vaccines in humans.
IVI also conducts research on vaccine safety with a focus on special populations like pregnant women.
"We also ensure vaccine security and self-reliance in developing countries through our technical assistance, tech transfer, training programs and annual vaccinology course," IVI stated.
