In brief
As Nigeria accounts for nearly a third of global malaria deaths, health officials begin administering the newly approved R21/Matrix-M vaccine to children aged 5-15 months, with plans for nationwide coverage by next year.
Nigeria, the country with the highest malaria mortality rate globally, has commenced the administration of a new malaria vaccine, marking a critical step in its fight against this devastating disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, which has proven to be 75% effective. The vaccine rollout is especially crucial, as Nigeria represents nearly one-third of all malaria-related deaths worldwide, disproportionately affecting children under five and pregnant women.The vaccination drive launched in the state of Bayelsa and Kebbi, both of which are severely impacted by malaria, is set to expand throughout the nation over the next year. Health officials emphasized the importance of combining the vaccine with other preventative measures, such as mosquito nets and insecticides, to maximize efficacy in reducing malaria cases.Happiness Idia-Wilson's 11-month-old son became the first recipient of the vaccine during the rollout ceremony in Bayelsa. Idia-Wilson expressed her commitment to promoting vaccination among other mothers as a duty to safeguard children's health.Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, the state’s health commissioner, announced the government's plan to conduct health campaigns promoting the vaccine in various local languages to reach a wider audience. The WHO reported that in 2022, Nigeria accounted for 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of malaria deaths, leading to a significant impact on health expenditures and productivity losses, estimated at $1.1 billion annually due to malaria-related issues.Developed by the Jenner Institute at Oxford University, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine requires three doses administered four weeks apart, followed by a booster after one year. While other African nations, including Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have also begun utilizing the vaccine, Nigeria was previously excluded from trials of the RTS,S vaccine, which was rolled out in 12 other African countries.Dr. Walter Mulombo, WHO's representative in Nigeria, expressed optimism that the new vaccine, alongside existing preventive measures, could substantially alleviate the malaria burden and contribute towards a malaria-free Africa.
