Cotonou/Freetown/Monrovia, 25 April 2024 “Significant advances in malaria prevention in Africa have been taken by three countries – Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone – which today began large-scale rollout of a malaria vaccine aimed at saving the lives of millions of people. these three West African countries. The rollout, announced on the occasion of World Malaria Day, aims to boost vaccine uptake in the African Region.
Today’s launch will increase the number of countries on the continent that offer malaria vaccine as part of childhood immunization programs to eight, expanding access to more comprehensive malaria prevention. Several of the more than 30 countries in the African region that have expressed interest in the vaccine are expected to begin rolling it out next year with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as efforts continue to expand its distribution across the region in coordination with other preventive measures such as bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticides and seasonal malaria chemoprophylaxis.
Benin, which has received 215,900 doses, has added malaria vaccine to its Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). It should be given to children on a 4-dose schedule starting at about 5 months of age.
“The inclusion of the malaria vaccine in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) for our children represents an important step forward in the fight against this scourge. “I would like to assure you that the Expanded Program on Immunization vaccines are safe and effective and help protect our children from serious and deadly diseases,” said Professor Benjamin Hukpatin, Benin’s Minister of Health.
In Liberia, the vaccine was launched in Rivercess County in the south of the country and will later be expanded to five other counties where the malaria burden is highest. At least 45,000 children are expected to benefit from the 112,000 doses of vaccine available.
“For too long, malaria has robbed our children of their laughter and dreams. But today, thanks to this vaccine and the unwavering commitment of our communities, our health workers and our partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and WHO, we are breaking the chain. We have a powerful tool that will protect them from this devastating disease and the deaths it causes, guaranteeing their right to health and a better future,” said Dr. Louise Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health. “Let’s end malaria in Liberia and pave the way for a healthier, more equitable society. »
Two safe and effective vaccines, RTS,S and R21, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), represent progress in child health and malaria control. A pilot malaria vaccination program in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reached more than 2 million children between 2019 and 2023, demonstrating a significant reduction in malaria cases and a 13% reduction in overall child mortality, as well as a significant reduction in hospitalizations.
In Sierra Leone, the first doses were given to children at the Western Area Rural Health Centre, where authorities began distributing 550,000 vaccine doses. The vaccine will then be administered at health centers across the country.
“With a new, safe and effective malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to combat this disease. When combined with insecticide-treated bed nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria,” said Dr. Austin Demby, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health.
Malaria remains a huge public health problem in the African Region, which includes 11 countries that account for about 70% of the global malaria burden. According to the Global Malaria Report, the Region will account for 94% of the world’s malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths in 2022.
“The African region is scaling up malaria vaccine rollout, a game-changer in our fight against this deadly disease,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Together with our Member States and partners, we support ongoing efforts to save the lives of young children and reduce the burden of malaria in the Region.”
Aurelia Nguyen, Program Manager at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said: “Today we celebrate more children having access to a new tool to save lives and fight one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. Introducing malaria vaccines into routine programs in Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone, along with other effective interventions, will help save lives and ease the burden on families, communities and health systems.”
Since 2017, progress against malaria in these high malaria burden African countries has stalled due to factors such as climate change, humanitarian crises, poor access to health services and lack of quality care, gender barriers, biological threats such as insecticides and drug resistance. and global economic crises. Weak health systems and serious gaps in data and surveillance have exacerbated the situation.
To get malaria control back on track, WHO recommends decisive action at all levels, especially in countries with a high disease burden. The organization notes the need to increase national and international funding. The fight against malaria must be based on science and data, stresses the WHO, which calls for urgent action against the health impacts of climate change, harnessing research and innovation, and building strong partnerships to coordinate the fight against the disease. Finally, WHO emphasizes the need to address delays in malaria control programmes.
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