Kenya’s Rabies elimination target gets boost with Boehringer Ingelheim's ‘Stop Rabies’ Campaign

However, a recent mass vaccination drive by pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) is offering renewed hope in the fight against this deadly disease.

As part of its “Stop Rabies” initiative, Boehringer Ingelheim successfully vaccinated over 20,000 dogs in Bungoma and Bomet counties marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to eliminate rabies by 2030.

Dr. Joseph Kipkemoi, BI’s Regional Sales Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa East, stressed the importance of this achievement, noting, “Vaccinating over 20,000 dogs isn’t just a number—it represents 20,000 potential rabies transmission chains broken, countless human lives saved, and a substantial step toward Kenya’s rabies elimination goal.”

Kenya faces an uphill battle against rabies, as less than 10% of the country’s estimated 5.5 million dogs are currently vaccinated. Health experts recommend a 70% vaccination rate to control the spread of rabies, making campaigns like BI’s crucial in reaching this target.

Boehringer Ingelheim’s efforts extend beyond this latest campaign. In 2023, the company donated 30,000 vaccine doses to VSF Germany, supported rabies education in the Mara North Conservancy, and worked with NGOs to deliver 8,000 vaccines via drones while educating 10,000 people about rabies prevention. Additionally, they implemented GARC surveillance tools in two counties to enhance rabies tracking and control.

The use of drones to deliver vaccines underscores BI’s innovative approach to overcoming logistical challenges, particularly in rural communities. This initiative is part of BI’s broader “Making More Health” program, which aims to leverage technology to improve healthcare access.

Jaisheila Keshav, Head of Animal Health South Africa at BI, highlighted the company’s dedication to a holistic approach: “We recognize the critical link between animal health and human well-being. Our goal is not only to enhance animal health but also to protect public health from zoonotic diseases like rabies.”

Globally, rabies causes an estimated 59,000 deaths each year, with around 40% of those affected being children. Although rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it is entirely preventable through vaccination.

Kenya’s fight against rabies is complicated by limited resources, insufficient vaccine supplies, inadequate surveillance, and a lack of public awareness—especially in rural areas.

Despite these challenges, Michelle Enslin, Regional Product Manager for Pets at BI, emphasized that the rabies vaccine has been available for over a century. She added, “Yet, we still face this huge problem in areas where socio-economic challenges bring people into close contact with wildlife, livestock, and free-roaming dogs.”