Afrigather Yaoundé – Cameroon in the present day launched the RTS,S malaria vaccine into its routine nationwide immunization providers, changing into the primary nation to take action exterior the malaria vaccine pilot programme that was carried out in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi. The introduction comes as efforts collect tempo to scale up vaccination towards the illness in excessive threat areas in Africa.
The vaccine is being rolled out throughout 42 well being districts within the nation’s 10 areas in private and non-private well being services. The launch comes after Cameroon obtained 331 200 doses of the vaccine in November 2023. Extra doses are anticipated in coming weeks.
“The vaccine is an extra instrument for malaria management. It has been chosen by the nation based mostly on its pre-qualification, guaranteeing assured high quality, efficacy and security for inclusion within the vaccination programme,” mentioned Dr Shalom Ndoula, Everlasting Secretary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization in Cameroon. “It would particularly goal all youngsters aged six months as of 31 December 2023.”
In preparation for the launch, World Well being Group (WHO) and different companions together with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, Africa Centre for Illness Management and Prevention, and the Clinton Well being Entry Initiative supported the nationwide well being authorities to strengthen key vaccine introduction measures. For an efficient vaccine introduction, it’s important that nations put in place complete preparations that embrace adopting the nationwide vaccination coverage and pointers, integrating the brand new vaccine into the supply schedule of different vaccines and well being interventions, growing an operational roll out plan, coaching of healthcare staff, investing in infrastructure, technical capability, vaccine storage, neighborhood engagement and demand era, and guaranteeing formative supervision, monitoring and analysis of the method to make sure high quality vaccine supply.
“The launch of the malaria vaccine marks a big step within the prevention and management of the illness, particularly in defending youngsters towards extreme illness and demise,” mentioned Dr Phanuel Habimana, WHO Consultant in Cameroon. “We’re dedicated to supporting the nationwide well being authorities to make sure an efficient rollout of the malaria vaccine along with scale up of different malaria management measures.”
Cameroon is among the many 11 nations most affected by the illness globally. The nation recorded greater than 3 million instances and over 3800 deaths in 2021. Cameroon has made the struggle towards malaria one of many priorities of its Nationwide Well being Improvement Plan. With the assist of companions, malaria management and prevention efforts through the years have helped to progressively decrease the burden of the illness within the nation.
“I selected to vaccinate my twins as a result of I’ve seen how dangerous malaria will be,” mentioned Helene, whose twin youngsters have been the primary to obtain the malaria vaccine. “I am dedicated to making sure that my youngsters get all of the 4 doses of the vaccine and I am going to take different steps like ensuring they sleep beneath mosquito nets.”
Since 2019, Ghana, Kenya and Malawi have been administering the RTS,S vaccine in a four-dose schedule to youngsters from round 5 months of age in chosen districts as a part of the pilot programme, often called the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP). Greater than 2 million youngsters have been reached with the malaria vaccine within the three African nations via MVIP with over 8 million doses administered – leading to a outstanding 13% drop in all-cause mortality in youngsters age-eligible to obtain the vaccine, and substantial reductions in extreme malaria sickness and hospitalizations.
9 African nations are poised to launch the malaria vaccine this 12 months. Along with Cameroon, Benin, Burkina Faso and Liberia have obtained the vaccine and are finalizing vaccine rollout plans.
WHO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and different companions are working intently with the African nations which are introducing the malaria vaccine to make sure supply and profitable rollout of the malaria vaccine.
Malaria burden is the best on the African continent, which accounted for roughly 94% of worldwide malaria instances and 95% of associated deaths in 2022. There have been 249 million malaria instances globally in 2022, resulting in 608 000 deaths. Of those deaths, 77% have been youngsters beneath 5 years of age, principally in Africa.
