More than 5, 000 health workers and other Frontline responders in Kenya are scheduled to get immunised with Zaire Ebola virus Vaccine.
According to emerging reports, the government of Kenya has requested for over 10,000 vaccine doses from the World Health Organisation.
The request forms part of efforts to strengthen protection for frontline personnel involved in surveillance, patient care and outbreak response.
Patrick Amoth the Health Director-General said authorities hope the vaccine could offer cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain due to similarities between the viruses.
The Zaire Ebola vaccine is designed to protect against the Zaire species of the Ebola virus, while its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo species has not been established.
The anticipated cross-protection therefore remains a possibility requiring scientific evidence.
Ebola in Kenya
