Three more African countries have joined a malaria vaccine rollout aimed at millions of children in a continent responsible for 95% of malaria fatalities, the UN said Thursday. According to the World Health Organisation, Africa accounts for roughly 94% of global malaria cases. The majority of the deaths are among children.
Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have joined other African nations in delivering the malaria vaccine as part of their childhood vaccination programmes, according to a WHO and UNICEF statement. Since 2019, more than two million children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi have been immunised, resulting in significant decreases in severe malaria sickness and hospitalisations.
“With the new, safe and efficacious malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease,” Sierra Leone Health Minister Austin Demby stated.
“In combination with insecticide-treated nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection.”
Malaria vaccine
Benin received 215,900 pills, and Liberia anticipates 45,000 children to benefit from their initial 112,000 doses. Sierra Leone will begin with 550,000 doses before distributing the vaccination to all health facilities nationally. Two vaccinations recommended by WHO — RTS, S, and R21 — have been hailed as a breakthrough in child health and malaria reduction.
Source: Vanguardngr.comÂ
