KEMRI UNVEILS LANDMARK REPORT LINKING VACCINES TO FIGHT AGAINST ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN KENYA.

BY NJOKI KARANJA 
Nairobi, March 27, 2026.

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has unveiled a groundbreaking policy brief and report highlighting the critical role of vaccines in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing public health threat in Kenya and across Africa.

The report, titled “The Value of Vaccines to Address Antimicrobial Resistance in Kenya,” was launched at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi during a high-level event attended by government officials, researchers, development partners, and members of the press.

Speaking during the unveiling, KEMRI Acting Director General and CEO Prof. Elijah Songok warned that antimicrobial resistance is no longer a distant concern but a present and escalating crisis. He described AMR as a “silent pandemic” that is already claiming lives, complicating routine medical procedures, and placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems.

The initiative, jointly developed by KEMRI and the One Health Trust, brought together a multidisciplinary Technical Working Group comprising experts from academia, government, and research institutions. The Trust’s president, Prof. Ramanan Laxminarayan, was among the key figures present at the launch.

According to the report, vaccines are a powerful yet underutilized tool in addressing AMR. By preventing infections such as pneumonia and typhoid, vaccines reduce the need for antibiotics, thereby slowing the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. The report also underscores the role of herd immunity in protecting vulnerable populations and reducing the overall spread of resistant pathogens.

Prof. Songok emphasized that in regions like East Africa, where borders are porous and ecosystems interconnected, resistant infections can spread rapidly, undermining decades of progress in public health and economic development.

“KEMRI is not just observing this crisis—we are actively engineering solutions,” he said, highlighting ongoing efforts in surveillance, vaccine research, and evidence-based policymaking.
The report provides actionable recommendations for integrating immunization strategies into Kenya’s national action plan on AMR, offering a roadmap for policymakers to strengthen the country’s response.

Health experts at the event called for increased investment in vaccines, noting that such interventions not only save lives but also help preserve the effectiveness of existing antibiotics for future generations.
The unveiling marks a significant step in Kenya’s fight against antimicrobial resistance, positioning vaccines at the center of a comprehensive and sustainable public health strategy.

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