The Federal Government has announced the receipt of 846,000 doses of malaria vaccine from international development partners, marking a significant step towards reducing malaria-related deaths among children under five.
This donation supports the government’s goal of achieving a 13% reduction in malaria mortality within this age group.
Malaria remains a leading cause of global child mortality, with Nigeria accounting for a substantial number of annual child deaths due to the disease.
The vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for broad use among children living in regions with moderate to high malaria transmission, has been shown to significantly reduce malaria and severe malaria among young children.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Handing Over Ceremony of the Malaria vaccine on Thursday in Abuja, noted that the vaccine would significantly boost Nigeria’s malaria elimination efforts.
Pate said, “Our target is to prioritize regions most affected by malaria, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. The vaccine rollout would begin in high-burden regions before expanding nationwide.
“The global health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, are providing technical and financial support to ensure the successful implementation of the vaccine.
“USAID and other partners are pushing for rapid scale-up beyond the initial two states, aiming for a nationwide rollout to cover all regions of the country.”
Pate also noted that with proper infrastructure, political will, and continued international collaboration, Nigeria is poised to make substantial progress in reducing the disease’s toll and moving toward malaria elimination.
Similarly, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA) announced that the initial rollout would target Bayelsa and Kebbi, chosen due to their high malaria burden and logistical challenges.
“In Bayelsa, which has significant riverine areas, reaching remote communities has been a challenge for health interventions.
“But, the strengthened healthcare systems and enhanced cold chain capabilities are expected to ensure the vaccine reaches even the most isolated populations.”
“The vaccine will be administered to children aged 5 months to 15 months as part of Routine Immunization. Each child requires four doses, given at 5, 6, 7, and 15 months of age, to be fully protected.
“The introduction will be expanded to other States and integrated into our national routine immunization schedule, as we receive additional doses. The second phase will target 19 States and FCT, while the third phase will target the remaining 15 States. Both phases are scheduled for 2025.
“To ensure a successful roll-out, we have established elaborate cross-program coordinating mechanisms that brings together key stakeholders and expertise in the malaria and immunization space at the national, and subnational levels.
“The team has developed a robust and responsive demand generation strategy that is citizen-centred and recognizes the needs and expectations of stakeholders at all levels including caregivers, community gatekeepers and front-line health workers.
The WHO representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, expressed optimism about the vaccine’s potential to save lives.
“We are confident that this vaccine, in combination with other preventive measures, will drastically reduce the burden of malaria in Nigeria and help us move closer to achieving the goal of a malaria-free Africa.”
Prof. Gbenga Mokuolu, National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), hailed the vaccine as a game-changer.
He, however, cautioned that it must be paired with continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and education.
“The vaccine is not a magic bullet. Sustained efforts, including awareness campaigns and improved healthcare delivery, will be key to ensuring that the benefits of the vaccine reach every corner of the country.”
UNICEF Chief of Health in Nigeria, Eduardo Celades said, recent upgrades to the national cold store in Abuja have tripled its storage capacity, while the overall cold chain infrastructure across the country has doubled in the past year.
“This capacity-building effort ensures that vaccines remain potent and are safely distributed to health facilities nationwide,” Celades said.
He added that the malaria vaccine is a significant addition to Nigeria’s toolbox for combating malaria, alongside seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and other preventative measures.
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