Cameroon is set to make history as the first country in Africa to introduce a new malaria vaccine for children.
This initiative, launching on Monday, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing decades-long campaign to combat the widespread mosquito-borne disease in Africa, responsible for 95% of global malaria deaths.
“The vaccination will save lives. It will provide major relief to families and the country’s health system,” said Aurelia Nguyen, chief program officer at the Gavi vaccines alliance, which is helping Cameroon secure the shots.
In a bold initiative, Cameroon aims to vaccinate approximately 250,000 children this year and the next, showcasing its commitment to combating malaria.
Partnering with Gavi, the country is part of a collaborative effort involving 20 African nations, with a collective goal of immunising over 6 million children by 2025.
Africa grapples with a staggering 250 million cases of malaria annually, resulting in 600,000 deaths, predominantly among young children. Cameroon’s strategy involves deploying the recently approved Mosquirix vaccine, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) two years ago.
While acknowledging its imperfections, WHO recognized the vaccine’s potential to significantly reduce severe infections and hospitalisations.
Produced by GlaxoSmithKline, Mosquirix boasts approximately 30% effectiveness, necessitating four doses with protection waning after several months.
Despite its limitations, the vaccine underwent testing in Africa and featured in pilot programs across three countries. GSK’s annual production capacity for Mosquirix is around 15 million doses, prompting some experts to consider the recently WHO-approved Oxford University-developed vaccine as a potentially more practical solution.
The Oxford vaccine, cheaper and requiring three doses, has the backing of India’s Serum Institute, capable of producing up to 200 million doses annually.
Gavi anticipates the availability of sufficient Oxford vaccines to commence immunisation later this year, adding another layer to the multifaceted approach against malaria.
It’s crucial to note that neither vaccine halts transmission, underscoring the continued importance of complementary tools such as bed nets and insecticidal spraying.
Malaria, primarily transmitted through infected mosquitoes, manifests symptoms like fever, headaches, and chills, emphasising the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat this parasitic disease in Africa.
