Kenya COVID-19 Health Emergency Response Project has received $ 130 Million from the World Bank additional financing to enable Kenyans access to affordable COVID-19 vaccines.
Kenya will be able to get more vaccines through African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) initiative as well as the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX).
Kenya to strengthen capacity of its cold storage facilities
The funds will also strengthen the country’s cold storage facilities, establish 25 county vaccine stores, boost 36 sub-county stores’ capacity, and set up vaccine storage facilities in 1,177 health facilities.
According to Keith Hansen, World Bank Country Director for Kenya, the country has made progress in containing rising COVID-19 infections by deploying vaccines to a broader population.
He said the additional financing would enable the country to widen access to free vaccines for its citizens.
Other activities that will be funded include vaccine safety surveillance, training for health workers, and advocacy and communications activities to encourage COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
“With the increased support for a rapid COVID-19 response, the World Bank is offering the government a flexible approach to select a portfolio of vaccines that best suits local capacities, timings of delivery, and vaccine approvals,” said Jane Chuma, World Bank Senior Health Economist
This is the second additional financing for the country’s COVID-19 Health Emergency Response Project. Together with the $10 million triggered under the Contingency Emergency Response Component of the Transforming Health Systems for Universal Care Project, the World Bank’s contributions to Kenya’s COVID-19 response total $246 million.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group has committed over $125 billion worldwide to fight the pandemic’s health, economic, and social impacts.
The World Bank has also provided $12 billion to help low- and middle-income countries purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments.
ALSO READ: Kenya receives US$ 750 Million from World Bank for COVID-19 Recovery
