The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced that the highly anticipated malaria vaccination campaign will kick off in Kebbi and Bayelsa States on December 2, 2024. This initiative represents a critical step in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against malaria, one of the country’s leading causes of illness and death.
Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina, revealed the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, emphasizing that the campaign targets children under five years of age, the group most vulnerable to malaria.
A Strategic Leap in Malaria Prevention
The malaria vaccine, developed by Oxford University and produced by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax, has demonstrated significant efficacy during trials. It will be provided free of charge and is expected to complement existing prevention measures, including the widespread use of insecticide-treated nets and antimalarial medications.
“The launch of the malaria vaccine in Kebbi and Bayelsa marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to combat malaria, a disease that continues to claim thousands of lives annually in Nigeria,” Dr. Aina stated.
The vaccination drive aims to reach an estimated 1.5 million children across the two states. Health workers, supported by state governments and international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, will administer the vaccine through home visits and health centres.
Achieving Malaria Elimination Goals
Dr. Aina highlighted the importance of this campaign in aligning with Nigeria’s broader malaria control strategy, which seeks to reduce malaria cases by 40% by 2030 in line with the WHO’s Global Malaria Strategy.
“This vaccine introduction is a safe and effective measure to save lives and prevent malaria-related illnesses. We urge residents in Kebbi and Bayelsa to actively participate in this life-saving initiative,” he said.
Nigeria’s Malaria Burden
Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, which accounts for 31% of global malaria deaths. Each year, the disease claims over 600,000 lives worldwide, with children under five in sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected.
The introduction of the malaria vaccine represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s fight against this deadly disease and underscores the government’s commitment to advancing universal health coverage.
This vaccination effort is part of a wider strategy to reduce malaria prevalence and improve health outcomes for Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations, laying the groundwork for a future free of malaria.
