Rivercess, Liberia, April 25, 2024 – Liberia marks a monumental milestone in its battle towards malaria because it launches the extremely anticipated RTS,S malaria vaccine right this moment, coinciding with World Malaria Day, commemorated beneath the theme: Well being Fairness, Gender, and Human Rights: Accelerating the Struggle In opposition to Malaria for a Extra Equitable World. The launch ceremony, held in Rivercess County, indicators a major step ahead within the nation’s dedication to safeguarding the well being of its youngsters and communities.

In January of this yr, Liberia obtained a cargo of 112,000 doses of the RTS,S malaria vaccine, a groundbreaking intervention anticipated to achieve 45,000 youngsters throughout the six counties of the south-east in Liberia. With malaria prevalence amongst youngsters beneath 5 years estimated at 10 % in Liberia, the vaccine holds the promise of saving numerous lives and lowering the burden of this lethal illness.

The administration of the vaccine will give attention to the six counties recognized as having excessive malaria prevalence in line with the 2022 Malaria Indicators Survey, particularly Rivercess, Sinoe, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Maryland and Rivergee within the southeast area of Liberia. These focused efforts align with the nation’s technique to prioritize areas most affected by malaria and guarantee equitable entry to life-saving interventions.

The RTS,S malaria vaccine has undergone profitable pilot applications in Ghana, Malawi, and Kenya whose outcomes point out a 22% discount in hospitalisation for extreme scientific malaria in youngsters eligible for the vaccine, demonstrating its security and efficacy. Now, Liberia joins these nations in integrating the vaccine into its Expanded Program on Immunization, marking a major development in preventive healthcare.

Essential to the preparation and execution of this landmark initiative are the collaborative efforts of key companions together with GAVI, the International Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the World Well being Group (WHO), USAID, Jhpiego, and different stakeholders. Their unwavering help has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of vaccine introduction and making certain its profitable rollout.

Talking in the course of the malaria vaccine launch at Rivercess District Hospital, the Honourable Minister of Well being thanked companions for the sturdy collaboration in taking steps in direction of making certain a malaria free future for Liberian youngsters.

“Particular because of GAVI the vaccine alliance, WHO, UNICEF for the sturdy collaboration to get these malaria vaccine doses obtainable in Liberia. As everyone knows malaria though its prevention stays a formidable well being problem in Liberia impacting our complete inhabitants, with youngsters aged 6-59 months bearing he greatest burden,” declared the Honourable Minister of Well being Dr. Louise Kpoto. “As we speak’s launch of the anti-malaria vaccine focusing on youngsters aged 5 to 23 months presents a vital development in our nationwide immunization program- because it represents collaboration to safeguard the well being of our kids, paving the way in which for a wholesome and malaria free future in Liberia.”

“As we speak marks an historic second in Liberia’s public well being journey,” remarked Andy Brooks, UNICEF Consultant in Liberia. “The introduction of the RTS,S malaria vaccine represents a game-changer in our combat towards this lethal illness, and we commend the federal government’s dedication to prioritizing the well being and well-being of its youngsters.”

Echoing these sentiments, The WHO Liberia OIC Dr. Musu Duworko emphasised, “The World Well being Group stands in solidarity with Liberia because it embarks on this transformative journey. The RTS,S malaria vaccine holds immense potential to scale back the burden of malaria and speed up progress in direction of reaching our shared purpose of a malaria-free world.”

As Liberia joins Benin and Sierra Leone on this simultaneous launch, the collective efforts of African nations to speed up malaria vaccine introduction and rollout are poised to drive vital influence within the world combat towards malaria, reaffirming our dedication to advancing well being fairness, gender equality, and human rights for a extra equitable and resilient world.

Media contacts

Leticia Nangwale, WHO Liberia nangwalel [at] who.int ()type=”coloration:blue; text-decoration:underline”

Mostafa Omar, UNICEF Liberia, mosomar [at] unicef.org