Afrigather Monrovia – The Ministry of Well being of Liberia, in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, World Well being Group (WHO), and the United Nations Kids’s Fund (UNICEF), in the present day introduced the arrival of 112 000 doses of the RTS,S malaria vaccine – the primary ever in Liberia.
Research have proven that kids below 5 in Liberia expertise excessive charges of malaria an infection, with a prevalence charge of 10%. The malaria vaccine marks a major milestone within the battle in opposition to the preventable mosquito-borne illness, which kills a toddler aged below 5 years each minute in Africa.
“The arrival of this life-saving vaccine is a sport changer in our battle in opposition to malaria,” stated Adolphus Clarke, Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunization on the Ministry of Well being of Liberia. “We’re dedicated to making sure that each little one in Liberia has entry to this vaccine and is protected against this lethal illness.”
The RTS,S vaccine has been piloted in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi since 2019 and has been proven to be secure and efficient, lowering extreme malaria by 30% and malaria deaths by 13%.
“It is a historic second within the battle in opposition to malaria,” stated Fatima Babiker, Gavi Senior Nation Supervisor for Liberia. “Gavi is proud to assist the rollout of this life-saving vaccine to kids in Liberia and throughout Africa. We’re dedicated to working with our companions to make sure that each little one has the possibility to develop up wholesome and free from malaria.”
WHO, UNICEF and Gavi are working carefully with the Ministry of Well being and different stakeholders forward of the rollout of the malaria vaccine. WHO is offering technical steering primarily specializing in epidemiological evaluation to find out precedence districts for roll out of the at present obtainable doses, integration of the vaccine in routine immunization to spice up wider uptake by the goal group and vaccine administration assist to the focused counties and districts. UNICEF is procuring and delivering the vaccine doses to the Ministry of Well being.
“The arrival of the malaria vaccine in Liberia is a testomony to the ability of worldwide collaboration,” stated Dr Clement Peter, WHO Consultant in Liberia. “WHO is dedicated to working with our companions to make sure that this vaccine reaches all kids who want it.”
“It is a day of hope for hundreds of thousands of youngsters in Africa,” stated Amadou Cisse, UNICEF Consultant in Liberia, a.i. “UNICEF is proud to be a part of this historic effort to carry the malaria vaccine to kids in Liberia and throughout the continent. We’re assured that this vaccine will save numerous lives.”
The arrival of the malaria vaccine in Liberia is a serious step ahead within the battle in opposition to this lethal illness. With continued collaboration and assist, the Authorities of Liberia will be certain that each little one has the possibility to develop up wholesome and free from malaria.
The Ministry of Well being of Liberia plans to start out vaccination in April 2024.
