Kenya Receives Ksh 212 Million From Japan For COVID-19 Vaccine Roll Out

The Government of Japan has donated about 212 million Kenya Shillings to Kenya to improve the cold chain capacity for COVID-19 vaccines roll out, as part of a grant of about 1.2 billion Kenya Shillings to 11 countries in the East and Southern Africa region.

The funding will support the Government of Kenya in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, especially through the procurement of equipment for vaccine storage, distribution, and continuous temperature monitoring, including storage for vaccines that require “ultra-cold” temperatures.

The funds will also be used to support the installation of new equipment and provide training to the healthcare workers on how to operate the equipment.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya, Japan has been contributing to the fight against the virus by providing medical equipment and PCR test kits,” Ambassador of Japan to Kenya HORIE Ryoichi said.

According to HORIE Ryoichi, Japan is now committed to supporting the improvement of the vaccination programs all over the world by contributing about 21.2 billion Kenya Shillings to the COVAX facility, an international mechanism led by Gavi, CEPI, WHO, and UNICEF.

According to a statement, the Government of Japan’s assistance will be used to strengthen Kenya’s health system capacity as it rolls out the largest vaccination program in its history

Cold chain capacity is essential to store and transport the COVID-19 vaccines safely across the country, while also ensuring that the COVID-19 response does not disrupt routine immunization services for other childhood diseases, such as polio and measles

This investment will also strengthen the existing immunization system so that Kenya will continue to benefit when the pandemic is over.

“UNICEF is very grateful to the Government of Japan for supporting children and families in Kenya at this time of need,” UNICEF Representative to Kenya Maniza Zaman said

Maniza Zaman added that they work to leave no one behind, they must ensure that vaccines reach those in greatest need, wherever they live.

Vaccines also protect the health care workers, teachers, and parents who care for children. This new funding provided by Japan will provide a vital boost to the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in Kenya, while also protecting routine immunization for children and strengthening the health system.