FG Introduces Malaria Vaccine Into National Routine Immunisation Schedule

Samuel God’spower
December 2, 2024

The Federal Government has announced the inclusion of the malaria vaccine in Nigeria’s national routine immunisation schedule, marking a crucial step in the country’s fight against the disease, which accounts for 27% of global cases and 31% of malaria-related deaths.

The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made the declaration during the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN) held in Abuja last week. He described malaria as both a health crisis and a developmental emergency that Nigeria must overcome.

“Malaria continues to exert an unacceptable toll on Nigeria. With 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths, our country bears the heaviest burden of this disease”, Prof. Pate said.
Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate

He noted that in 2022 alone, over 180,000 Nigerian children under the age of five lost their lives to malaria, a tragedy which he insisted could have been prevented.

He further highlighted the economic impact of malaria, stating, “This is not just a health crisis; it is an economic and developmental emergency. Malaria reduces productivity, increases out-of-pocket health expenditures, and compounds the challenges of poverty. The annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP from malaria exceeds $1.1 billion, a stark reminder of the economic imperative of elimination.”

The introduction of the malaria vaccine is part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) confirmed the development on its official X handle, revealing that the vaccine rollout would begin in Kebbi and Bayelsa states as the first phase.

The agency stated that the malaria vaccine, targeted at children aged five to 15 months, would provide protection to millions of children and help Nigeria move closer to a malaria-free future.

Earlier in October, the Federal Government received one million doses of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, a donation facilitated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, with support from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). The R21 vaccine was developed by scientists at Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax.

NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr Muyi Aina, explained that the vaccine’s introduction into the routine immunisation schedule would be expanded to other states in phases. “The second phase will target 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while the third phase will target the remaining 15 states. Both phases are scheduled for 2025,” the agency noted.

The Federal Government said it is committed to integrating the malaria vaccine into routine immunisation as a bold step toward eradicating one of the most pressing public health challenges in Nigeria.