Cameroon Commences World’s First Malaria Vaccine Program for Children
Cameroon has initiated the world’s inaugural routine vaccine program against malaria, aiming to save numerous children’s lives in Africa.
The inaugural dose was administered to a baby girl named Daniella at a health facility near Yaoundé, marking a significant step in the fight against the disease that claims 600,000 lives annually in Africa, with children under five accounting for 80% of those deaths according to World Health Organization (WHO).
The RTS,S vaccine is being provided free of charge to infants up to six months old in Cameroon.
Patients need a total of four doses. The vaccine has a reported effectiveness of at least 36%, potentially saving more than one in three lives, as indicated by US researchers.
Despite being a crucial addition to malaria prevention, experts caution that its relatively low efficacy doesn’t make it a “silver bullet,” according to Willis Akhwale at End Malaria Council Kenya.
Cameroonian doctor Shalom Ndoula, involved in the rollout in his country, emphasizes its significance as an “additional tool” for healthcare professionals in the ongoing fight against malaria, aiming to significantly reduce cases and deaths.
GSK, a British pharmaceutical company, dedicated three decades to researching and developing the RTS,S vaccine.
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The World Health Organization approved this historic milestone in the global battle against mosquito-borne diseases during its launch in Cameroon. Following successful pilot campaigns in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi, twenty other countries, including Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone, plan to implement the vaccine program this year, as reported by the global vaccine alliance, Gavi.
Cameroon reports approximately six million cases of malaria annually, resulting in 4,000 deaths within healthcare facilities, primarily affecting children under five years old. Infants in 42 districts with the highest morbidity and mortality rates will receive four doses until the age of two.
In 2021, Africa accounted for 95% of global malaria cases and approximately 96% of associated deaths.
