Nigeria receives more than 800K malaria vaccines
On Thursday, the Nigerian government announced the arrival of 846,200 doses of the malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M vaccine, with an additional 153,800 expected by October 26, bringing the total to one million doses. These vaccines were procured in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF.
The malaria vaccine, which requires four doses- at five, six, seven, and 15 months of age, will be administered to children under one year of age as part of Nigeria’s Routine Immunization schedule. The first phase of the rollout will begin in Kebbi and Bayelsa States in November 2024, where malaria prevalence is particularly high, with over 800,000 doses set to be distributed during this phase.
“The arrival of the malaria vaccine is a monumental step in our national efforts to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality,” said Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. “With the support of UNICEF, Gavi and WHO, we are on a path toward achieving our goal of a malaria-free Nigeria.”
“This is a landmark moment in our collective mission to save lives and protect children from preventable diseases like malaria,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “The introduction of this vaccine will be life-changing for millions of Nigerian families, especially in the regions most affected by malaria.”
As Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria carries the highest burden of malaria globally, accounting for approximately 27% of the global malaria burden and 31% of malaria deaths worldwide. According to the 2023 World Malaria Report, nearly 200,000 deaths from malaria occurred in Nigeria. Children under five and pregnant women are the most affected, with a national malaria prevalence rate of 22% in children aged 6-59 months as of 2021. In some regions, such as Kebbi State, this rate is as high as 49%.