The Nigerian government has received the first batch of 846,000 doses of the R21 malaria vaccine, provided by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The shipment which arrived in Abuja on Thursday offers hope of reducing the impact of malaria on public health, particularly among the vulnerable population
The world health organization puts Nigeria as one of the countries with the highest malaria burdens in the world, with over 200,000 malaria-related deaths reported annually.
Malaria accounts for more than 60% of outpatient visits in Nigeria, and around 11% of maternal deaths are linked to the disease.
This Abuja gathering is to launch the R21 malaria vaccine which the Coordinating minister of health and Social welfare describes as a game changer in the country’s efforts to reduce the disease burden and improve child survival rates.
He added that the rollout will begin in high-burden states, with plans to expand across the nation.
The Director-General of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Muyi Aina, says an additional 140,000 doses are expected in the coming months, bringing the total to one million in the first batch while an enforcement team will be set up to oversee the process.
The R21 malaria vaccine is produced by the Serum Institute of India and will be administered in two doses per vial across Nigeria.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
