Kenya has put off a mega pilot test for a malaria vaccine that was set to be rolled out this year after it was chosen by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
Kenya was among three African countries that were chosen in a pilot test to vaccinate 360,000 children per year.
Malawi, Ghana have already embarked on the vaccine pilot. The two countries began their rollout in April this year.
Kenya was to introduce its plan on Thursday but the Ministry of Health has announced its postponement.
The ministry indicated that a later date will be communicated later.
The ministry said it was necessary to postpone the pilot test due to the upcoming Health Summit set to be conducted on August 14 and 15.
“I regret to inform you that the stakeholders breakfast meeting planned for this Tuesday, August 13, and the launch planned for Thursday, August 15, have been postponed to a later date to be communicated to you shortly. This is due to the upcoming Health Summit scheduled on August 14 and 15,” head of the National Vaccines and Immunisation Programme, Dr Collins Tabu said.
The vaccine's aim is to reduce mortality and morbidity of malaria and will complement existing interventions.