Posted on: Tue 23-01-2024

Following a successful pilot program, the globe’s first World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended malaria vaccines are to be administered through routine immunization programs across Africa today, beginning with Cameroon.

According to WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, vaccination is taking place across 42 health districts to protect the most vulnerable children against the devastating disease.

Chief Program Officer at Gavi, Aurelia Nguyen, while commenting on the development, observed: “Malaria claims too many lives each year, more than half a million children under five in Africa alone. Today represents a historic milestone, as we will finally be able to offer a new tool in the fight against a disease that has impacted the African continent most of all, accounting for 95 percent of all deaths globally.”

Today, Cameroon will become the first country in the world to begin routine malaria vaccination. It will introduce the RTS, S vaccine in 42 districts, those with populations at the highest risk. The shots would be available to all eligible children.

In a country where malaria cases and deaths have been on the rise since 2017, and nearly 30 percent of all hospital consultations are malaria-related, the exercise would save lives and provide a major relief to families and the country’s health system.

Across the continent, around 20 countries have plans this year to reach over three million children. Some have already received shipments of doses.

Introducing the vaccine in several countries in 2024 would depend on when the second WHO-prequalified malaria vaccine is available and the countries’ levels of preparedness.

Overall, more than 30 African nations have expressed interest in a routine malaria vaccination program.   She continued: “As an Alliance, we have invested in studies and pilots, and sent powerful market signals to manufacturers, all to expedite this moment: approved vaccines available and getting to those who need them most.

“Alongside supplying vaccines and supporting vaccination activities, we have also worked with partners, including the Global Fund, to make sure vaccination is delivered as part of a package of essential interventions such as bed nets.

“Finally, I will say: while Gavi is fully funded for its current strategic period, which ends in 2025, we must make sure financing is in place for our next five-year period, from 2026-2030 – so that this vital work can continue in the future.”

More than 331, 000 doses of RTS, S malaria vaccine landed in Yaoundé last November 22, making it the first time doses were shipped to an African country outside of the three pilot countries (Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi) that were part of the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programmed (MVIP), which ran from 2019 to 2023, and saw the RTS, S vaccine administered to more than two million children.

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