Joseph Bakare
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has disclosed that Nigeria is expecting to receive the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine by April 2024.
Ehanire, who spoke during the commemoration of World Malaria Day, WMD, on Tuesday said Nigeria has applied for the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine in the third application widow for the vaccine which ended April 18, 2023.
The WMD is celebrated on April 25 every year to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment to malaria prevention and control.
The World Health Organisation, in 2021, recommended the widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission.
Meanwhile, a third window of applications for support from Gavi opened until April 18.
Ehanire, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mamman Mamuda, said “Let me also inform you that the National Programme is working closely with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and other stakeholders in accessing and deploying the malaria vaccine (RTS,S) in a phased fashion subject to availability of needed quantity.
“The country has also successfully submitted an application to Gavi for the RTS,S vaccine allocation. This is expected to be in-country by April 2024.”
Nigeria accounts for 27 per cent of global malaria cases and 32 per cent of global malaria deaths despite all efforts by the government and its partners to combat the effects of malaria.
