Nigeria is set to receive its first shipment of malaria vaccines today, marking a pivotal advancement in the nation's battle against this deadly disease.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) confirmed that the vaccines will be delivered to Abuja, with Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, overseeing the arrival.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that this initiative is part of a broader effort by the World Health Organization (WHO) to distribute malaria vaccines to countries heavily burdened by the disease, including Nigeria.
The NPHCDA indicated that barring any unforeseen delays, the official unveiling of the malaria vaccines aimed at safeguarding children from this life-threatening illness is expected to take place today.
Experts anticipate that the introduction of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, commonly referred to as Mosquirix, will lead to a significant decrease in malaria cases and fatalities, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The Nigerian government has developed a strategic distribution plan prioritizing regions most affected by malaria, especially rural areas where healthcare access is limited. The rollout will commence in these high-burden regions before expanding nationwide.
Nigeria will become the third African nation to implement this vaccine, following Ghana and Kenya, which began their vaccination campaigns earlier this year.
Malaria continues to pose a serious public health challenge in Nigeria, impacting 97 percent of the population. The country accounts for approximately 27 percent of global malaria cases and 31 percent of related deaths.
Despite progress in reducing malaria prevalence among children under five—from 42 percent in 2010 to 23 percent in 2018—significant disparities remain between rural and urban populations.
