Malaria Vaccine Breakthrough: First Doses to Reach 12 African Countries
- damiadeniyi
- July 18, 2023
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The news of 18 million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01, being distributed to 12 African nations marks a major breakthrough in the fight against malaria. Malaria has been a leading cause of child mortality in Africa, with nearly 500,000 deaths annually among children under five. The new vaccine’s introduction and distribution promise to significantly reduce these numbers and save countless lives.
Nine countries, including Benin and Sierra Leone, have included the vaccine in their routine immunization programs. Severe cases occur at an alarmingly high rate in these nations due to limited access to healthcare services and preventive measures like insecticide-treated bed nets. The vaccine’s availability within their healthcare systems is expected to greatly benefit vulnerable populations.
Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), WHO (World Health Organization), and UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) have collaborated to eliminate malaria as a deadly threat in Africa. Their joint effort aims to provide lifesaving vaccines across the continent, with distribution scheduled from late 2023 through early 2024. Such initiatives demonstrate remarkable progress in tackling global diseases like malaria.
The demand for malaria vaccines is projected to soar, reaching 40-60 million doses annually by 2026 and 80-100 million doses by 2030. The addition of promising candidate R21/Matrix-M will further bolster the fight against malaria.
The distribution of 18 million doses of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine is a turning point in the battle against this deadly disease.
