Kenya is set to roll out the Mpox vaccine as part of a targeted response to the virus, but the Ministry of Health has made it clear that vaccination will not be mandatory. Instead, the focus will be on vulnerable populations identified as high-risk groups. The vaccination campaign will be rolled out in three phases, informed by epidemiological data and the risk levels of specific groups.
The first phase of the vaccination program will prioritize contacts with confirmed Mpox cases who have developed symptoms within the past two to four weeks, healthcare workers in areas with active cases, and individuals at high risk of severe disease due to direct physical contact with infected persons or exposure to their bodily fluids. The second phase will expand the program to include vulnerable individuals with chronic illnesses or weakened immunity who are at a heightened risk of severe complications if infected. The third phase, as proposed by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), will include the broader population, but this will depend on the availability of the vaccine.
The vaccination effort will specifically target high-risk groups, including truck drivers and individuals with multiple sexual partners. These groups have been identified as particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to the virus through close contact or high-risk behaviors. The Ministry of Health has emphasized that this is not a mass vaccination campaign or the introduction of a new vaccine, but rather a targeted outbreak response aimed at protecting those at the highest risk.
In addition to truck drivers and individuals with multiple sexual partners, other at-risk groups include household members, family members, classmates, coworkers, and sexual partners of symptomatic individuals. The Ministry’s National Surveillance Officer, Rosalia Kalani, highlighted the importance of using data from surveillance to guide the expansion of the vaccination campaign into subsequent phases. Kenya’s position as a major transport hub in the region, with significant movement of people, places truck drivers and their families at higher risk of exposure to Mpox.
Truck drivers, in particular, have been disproportionately affected by Mpox. Many have expressed concerns about the stigma associated with the disease and the potential impact on their employment if they are quarantined after exposure. The Ministry of Health has acknowledged these concerns and stressed the importance of a collaborative effort to address the outbreak effectively.
Mpox cases in Kenya have been recorded across different age groups, with truck drivers being among the most affected. The country has reported one death from the disease, a 42-year-old truck driver from Bungoma County who had underlying health conditions. Other symptoms observed in Mpox patients include rashes, fever, sore throat, genital lesions, body weakness, joint pain, oral lesions, dry cough, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
As of now, Kenya has recorded 36 Mpox cases, with 32 recoveries, two cases under surveillance, and one fatality. The cases are spread across 12 counties, with Nakuru County leading with 10 cases. Notably, men account for 40% of the cases, while women make up 60%. Some of the cases have involved children and secondary school students, indicating that the virus is not limited to adults. The primary mode of transmission in Kenya remains sexual contact, with the virus primarily spreading through close physical interactions.
The Ministry of Health continues to encourage the public to maintain preventive measures, such as practicing good personal hygiene, being faithful to sexual partners, or abstaining from sexual activity to reduce the risk of transmission. Despite the targeted vaccination strategy, these preventive measures remain crucial in controlling the spread of the virus.
The roll-out of the Mpox vaccine in Kenya is part of a broader effort to address the outbreak, which has raised concerns about the country’s healthcare infrastructure and its ability to respond to emerging infectious diseases. By focusing on high-risk groups, the Ministry of Health hopes to contain the spread of Mpox and prevent further cases and fatalities. However, the success of the vaccination campaign will depend on timely vaccine distribution, public cooperation, and continued surveillance to track the virus’s spread.
