Cameroon Launches World’s First Major Malaria Vaccine Program for Children
Cameroon has taken a significant step in the fight against malaria by launching the world’s first major malaria vaccine program for children. The campaign, which began on Monday, aims to combat the disease that accounts for about 95 percent of malaria deaths worldwide. Health officials have hailed this effort as a major breakthrough in the battle against malaria in Africa.
Malaria, a disease transmitted through mosquito bites, claims the lives of over 600,000 people each year, with young children being the most vulnerable. The vaccine, known as RTS.S, was developed by British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and is intended to work in conjunction with other preventive measures such as the use of bed nets.
Cameroon is the first country to implement routine vaccine injections following successful trials in Ghana and Kenya. The nation aims to vaccinate approximately 250,000 children this year and next. This groundbreaking initiative has caught the attention of other countries, with 19 nations planning to launch their own campaigns in 2024 and 2025. These campaigns are expected to reach around 6.6 million children.
Mohammed Abdulaziz, from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, expressed his excitement about this milestone, stating, “For a long time, we have been waiting for a day like this.” Abdulaziz made this comment during a joint news briefing with the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, and other organizations.
Cameroon’s vaccination program utilizes one of two recently approved malaria vaccines called Mosquirix. Although the WHO acknowledged that this vaccine is not perfect when it approved it two years ago, officials emphasized its potential to significantly reduce severe infections and hospitalizations. However, Mosquirix is only about 30 percent effective and requires four doses. Studies have also shown that its protection weakens after several months. GSK, the manufacturer of Mosquirix, can only produce approximately 15 million doses per year.
Some experts believe that a second malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University, called R21, may offer a better solution. This vaccine is less expensive and requires only three doses. The WHO approved this vaccine in October, and India’s Serum Institute, which played a crucial role in its development, has stated that it could produce up to 200 million doses annually. Gavi has indicated that the R21 vaccine could be launched as early as May or June.
The introduction of the second vaccine is expected to address the high demand for malaria vaccines and potentially save tens of thousands of young lives, particularly in Africa. Kate O’Brien, the WHO’s director of vaccinations, stated that having two vaccines for malaria would help bridge the gap between demand and supply.
While some experts have raised concerns about the long-term effectiveness of these vaccines, health experts at the news conference emphasized that the vaccine launch is accompanied by community efforts to support the campaign. Officials are providing guidance on vaccine safety and urging individuals to continue using existing preventive methods alongside the vaccines.
The fight against malaria has reached a critical turning point with Cameroon’s groundbreaking vaccine program. By combining vaccination efforts with established preventive measures, there is hope that the devastating impact of malaria on young lives in Africa can be significantly reduced. With other countries set to follow suit, the world is taking a united stand against this deadly disease.
Sources:
– The Associated Press
– Reuters
– Agence France-Presse
