Afrigather 
Monrovia, Liberia, January 23, 2023 – 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), right now introduced the arrival of 112,000 doses of the RTS,S malaria vaccine- the primary ever in Liberia. Research have proven that youngsters underneath 5 in Liberia expertise excessive charges of malaria an infection with a prevalence fee of 10%.[1] The Malaria vaccine marks a big milestone within the battle towards malaria, a preventable mosquito-borne illness that kills a baby underneath age 5 each minute in Africa.
“The arrival of this life-saving vaccine is a sport changer in our battle towards malaria,” mentioned Adolphus Clarke, Director of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) on the Ministry of Well being of Liberia. “We’re dedicated to making sure that each baby in Liberia has entry to this vaccine and is protected against this lethal illness.”
The RTS,S vaccine was 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 towards malaria,” mentioned Fatima Babiker, the Gavi Senior Nation Supervisor for Liberia. “Gavi is proud to help the rollout of this life-saving vaccine to youngsters in Liberia and throughout Africa. We’re dedicated to working with our companions to make sure that each baby 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 steerage primarily specializing in epidemiological evaluation to find out precedence districts for roll out of the at the moment obtainable doses, integration of the vaccine in routine immunization to spice up wider uptake by the goal group, and vaccine administration help to the focused counties and districts, whereas 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 world collaboration,” mentioned Dr. Clement Peter, WHO Liberia Consultant. “WHO is dedicated to working with our companions to make sure that this vaccine reaches all youngsters who want it.”
“It is a day of hope for tens of millions of kids in Africa,” mentioned Amadou Cisse, UNICEF Consultant ai. “UNICEF is proud to be a part of this historic effort to carry the malaria vaccine to youngsters 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 towards this lethal illness. With continued collaboration and help, the Authorities of Liberia will be sure that each baby 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.
Notes for the editor
The RTS,S malaria vaccine is a vaccine that targets the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, essentially the most lethal malaria parasite in Africa.
