Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sade Oguntola
Published on 2024-02-22 06:51:54
Almost 10,000 children in Burkina Faso and Cameroon have received the RTS,S malaria vaccine this year, marking the start of a wider malaria vaccine rollout across several African countries. Cameroon became the first country outside the malaria vaccine pilot program to launch the vaccine on January 22, 2024. It is now being integrated into the national routine immunization program in over 500 public and private health facilities across 42 health districts in the country’s 10 regions. Similarly, Burkina Faso introduced the vaccine on February 5, becoming the latest country in the region to kick off the immunization.
The introduction of the RTS,S vaccine is expected to complement the existing range of malaria control measures to prevent the disease and lower its burden. The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, emphasized the significance of the wider rollout, stating, “Malaria is one of the major health challenges our region faces. The wider rollout of the malaria vaccine marks a significant milestone in advancing the fight against this deadly disease. We’re committed to supporting countries to ensure that all eligible children are protected from the devastating impacts of this preventable illness.”
The vaccine rollout in both countries is part of a major initiative by the WHO Regional Office for Africa known as Accelerated Malaria Vaccines Introduction and Rollout in Africa (AMVIRA). This initiative was developed in response to the planned introduction of two malaria vaccines, RTS,S and R21, into the routine immunization schedules of 19 countries in the Africa region in 2024. Through AMVIRA, WHO in Africa aims to provide state-of-the-art support to countries in their efforts to effectively and efficiently introduce and roll out malaria vaccines. The initiative also seeks to enhance coordination with partners, including UNICEF, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and other partners.
The burden of malaria is highest in Africa, accounting for approximately 94 percent of global malaria cases and 95 percent of related deaths in 2022. Globally, there were 249 million malaria cases in 2022, leading to 608,000 deaths. Of these deaths, 77 percent were children under five years of age, mostly in Africa.
The introduction and rollout of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Burkina Faso and Cameroon represent a significant step in the fight against malaria in Africa. With the support of WHO and its partners, these countries are working to ensure that all eligible children are protected from the devastating impacts of this preventable illness. As the wider rollout continues across the continent, efforts to combat malaria and save lives are being intensified.
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