
The world’s first routine roll out of the malaria vaccine has kicked off in Cameroon.
The vaccine rollout commenced on Monday, featuring Daniella as the first recipient of the RTS,S malaria vaccine near Yaoundé.
Endorsed by the World Health Organisation in October 2021 after a two-year program involving over 800,000 children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, the RTS,S vaccine is recommended for children aged five months to approximately 18 months, boasting a 39 percent efficacy. Cameroon is providing the vaccine free of charge, administering it in four doses to all infants up to six months old.
Cameroon’s proactive approach to malaria prevention demonstrates the nation’s commitment to public health and its recognition of the urgent need to address the malaria burden. With this historic rollout, Cameroon is setting an example for other nations to follow in the quest to combat a disease that has long plagued communities, hindering socioeconomic development.
The global significance of Cameroon’s malaria vaccine rollout cannot be overstated. Malaria remains a major public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where a significant portion of the population is at risk. The success of this initiative could serve as a blueprint for other countries grappling with the malaria menace, encouraging them to adopt and implement similar vaccination programs.
While the rollout marks a momentous achievement, challenges lie ahead. Access, infrastructure, and education are crucial factors influencing the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign. Collaborative efforts involving governments, international organizations, and local communities will be pivotal in overcoming these challenges and ensuring the sustained success of the malaria vaccine rollout.
In a social media post on Monday, the WHO described the vaccine drive as a “historic step” towards wider vaccination against one of the deadliest diseases for African children.
“For this initial malaria vaccination drive targeting 42 districts, Cameroon received 330,000 doses of the RTS,S vaccine last November,” the post reads.
Shalom Ndoula, a Cameroonian doctor who helped to lead the rollout in his country, said although the vaccine has a relatively low efficacy, it is an important “additional tool” in the fight against malaria.
“We have a capacity to considerably reduce the number of cases and deaths from malaria and accelerate the elimination of the disease,” he said.
Meanwhile, 20 other countries aim to roll out the programme this year including Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger and Sierra Leone.