This archive report was first published on 20 August 2021.
On August 20, 2021, Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) gave the green light for the use of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in the country.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed the approval, citing China's interest in supplying Kenya with coronavirus vaccines in February 2021.
Acting Health Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth had earlier indicated that Kenya was in negotiations with China.
According to an official, 'We have approved Sinopharm vaccine. We will be having five different vaccines in the country very soon.'
Dr. Willis Akhwale, chair of Kenya's vaccine advisory taskforce, noted that the goal is to 'flood this country with a variety of WHO-approved vaccines as we target to inoculate 10 million people by December.'
With the World Health Organization (WHO) having granted emergency use of Sinopharm, Kenya has confidence in its efficacy, as stated by Dr. Akhwale: 'Kenya has approved Sinopharm. We have confidence in its efficacy since it has been certified by WHO.'
