Nigeria to receive world’s first malaria vaccine

The production of the world’s first malaria vaccine is reportedly being finished in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

According to Topnaija sources, the vaccine will soon be available in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

At least a dose of the RTS,S/AS01E has been given to one million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi.

Statistics revealed that over three quarters of malaria deaths occur in the under-five category of children.

The World Health Organisation, WHO, pilot study in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, also showed that the vaccine has significantly reduced severe malaria and hospitalisation in countries that have applied it.

Project Manager for the Agogo Malaria Vaccine Research Site, Ghana, John Bawa, revealed during the commemoration of the 2022 World Malaria Day that, “The next is to deploy the vaccine to other endemic countries.

“Countries that are interested in the vaccine are expected to apply to GAVI from June to September.”

According to him, Nigeria, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia have officially expressed interest for the vaccine.

He said malaria vaccine coverage in Malawi was at 88 per cent in 2020 and 93 per cent in 2021. In Ghana, it was 71 per cent in 2020 and 76 per cent in 2021 and in Kenya, it was 69 per cent in 2020 and 83 per cent in 2021.

“These numbers indicate strong community demand and capacity of childhood vaccination platforms to effectively deliver the vaccine to children,” said Bawa.

These vaccines were distributed in a pilot scheme organised by WHO. The organisation has now recommended the vaccine for use among children in areas with moderate to high transmission rate of malaria.

“For some countries, Gavi is paying about 80 per cent of the cost of the vaccine, while it is expected that the country’s government would pay the remaining 20 per cent,” Bawa said.

Director of the Centre for Malaria Diagnosis, Research, Capacity Building and Policy, University of Lagos, Wellington Oyibo said the Nigerian government and the Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation Malaria Eradication Project have applied to purchase the vaccine for Nigeria.

While the initial rollout of the vaccine may not go around the country, Oyinbo mentioned that the Nigerian government selected states with the highest malaria burden to begin with.

He said African leaders should ensure that their counterpart funds are available to purchase the vaccine.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave his own view.

VaccineHe said “This vaccine is not just a scientific breakthrough, it is life-changing for families across Africa. It demonstrates the power of science and innovation for health.”

According to the WHO about $155.7 million has been secured from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to support the introduction, procurement and delivery of the malaria vaccine for Gavi-eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

To boost the vaccine supply and coverage, GlaxoSmithKline, producers of the RTS,S vaccine, will transfer technology and patent to Bharat Biotech in India to manufacture the vaccines.

The funding would help support the introduction, procurement and delivery of the vaccine for Gavi-eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa in 2022-2025.