Nigeria took a significant step in its fight against malaria by launching the R21 malaria vaccine on Thursday, which will be freely administered to recipients.
This makes Nigeria one of the first countries globally to endorse the new vaccine, developed by Oxford University scientists and produced by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax.
The R21 vaccine was provisionally approved by Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in April last year. At the official launch in Abuja, Nigeria’s Health Minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the arrival of 846,200 doses, 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.
Pate emphasised that while the vaccine supply is currently limited, it remains free of charge, encouraging Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity. “The vaccines are not enough, so in the context that they are not enough but free, I want to encourage all well-meaning Nigerians to make their wards available to be administered and protected,” Pate said during the launch.
The initial rollout will begin in two pilot states, Kebbi in northern Nigeria and Bayelsa on the coast, before expanding nationwide.
Malaria remains a deadly threat, particularly in Africa. The mosquito-borne disease kills over 600,000 people annually, with babies and children being the most vulnerable. According to a 2023 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, Nigeria accounts for 31% of global malaria deaths, making it the worst-affected country in the world.
The introduction of the R21 vaccine offers new hope in curbing the devastating toll of malaria in Nigeria.
Melissa Enoch
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