Nigeria has received 846,000 doses of an innovative malaria vaccine from development partners to help curb the country’s high malaria rates, particularly among children and vulnerable groups.
During an event in Abuja on Thursday, Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted that these vaccines are expected to play a crucial role in reducing malaria-related deaths. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), large-scale clinical trials across Africa demonstrated the effectiveness of the RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) vaccine in lowering both malaria cases and mortality in young children.
Nigeria becomes the third African nation to introduce this vaccine, following Ghana and Kenya, which began using it in 2023.
Malaria impacts 97% of Nigeria’s population, with transmission occurring year-round in southern regions and lasting up to three months in the north. The primary vectors for malaria are *Anopheles coluzzii* and *Anopheles gambiae*, while *Anopheles funestus* plays a secondary role in some regions.
This vaccine arrival coincides with Nigeria’s intensified efforts to reduce malaria deaths as part of the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) 2021–2025. Pate emphasized that the vaccine would greatly enhance ongoing efforts to eliminate malaria.
“Our goal is to prioritize regions most severely affected by malaria, particularly rural areas with limited healthcare access,” he said.
The vaccine rollout will start in high-burden regions and gradually expand nationwide. Global health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, are offering technical and financial support for the implementation. Pate noted that USAID and other partners are pushing for rapid nationwide expansion beyond the initial two states.
He described the vaccine’s arrival as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s fight against malaria, adding, “With the right infrastructure, political will, and international collaboration, Nigeria can significantly reduce malaria cases and move closer to eliminating the disease.”
Dr. Muyi Aino, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, announced that the initial rollout would focus on Bayelsa and Kebbi due to their high malaria burden and logistical challenges.
“In Bayelsa, the vast riverine areas make health interventions difficult to reach remote communities. However, enhanced healthcare systems and improved cold chain capabilities should ensure the vaccine reaches even the most isolated populations,” he said.
UNICEF Chief of Health in Nigeria, Dr. Eduardo Celades, mentioned that recent upgrades to the national cold store in Abuja have tripled its storage capacity, while the country’s overall cold chain infrastructure has doubled in the past year. This expansion ensures that vaccines remain potent and are safely distributed to health facilities nationwide.
Celades added that the malaria vaccine is a significant addition to Nigeria’s efforts to combat the disease, alongside seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and other preventive measures.
WHO representative Dr. Walter Mulombo expressed optimism, stating, “We are confident that this vaccine, combined with other preventive strategies, will greatly reduce malaria’s burden in Nigeria and help move us closer to a malaria-free Africa.”
Prof. Gbenga Mokuolu, National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), described the vaccine as a game-changer but warned that it must be supported by sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure and education.
“The vaccine alone isn’t enough. Ongoing efforts, including awareness campaigns and improved healthcare delivery, are essential to ensuring that the vaccine’s benefits reach every corner of the country,” Mokuolu said.
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