Cameroon has become the first country in the world to launch a routine immunization program against malaria for children. This groundbreaking campaign, set to begin on Monday, is being hailed as a major milestone in the ongoing fight against the mosquito-spread disease in Africa. With the continent accounting for 95% of global malaria deaths, the introduction of this vaccine is expected to save countless lives and provide much-needed relief to families and healthcare systems.
The vaccination program, spearheaded by Cameroon, aims to immunize approximately 250,000 children this year and next year. The country is working in collaboration with the Gavi vaccines alliance, which is helping secure the necessary shots. In addition to Cameroon, Gavi is also assisting 20 other African countries in obtaining the vaccine, with a goal of immunizing over 6 million children across the continent by 2025.
Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Africa, with approximately 250 million cases reported each year, resulting in around 600,000 deaths, predominantly among young children. To combat this devastating disease, Cameroon will be utilizing the Mosquirix vaccine, one of two recently approved malaria vaccines. Although Mosquirix is only about 30% effective and requires four doses, the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed its use two years ago due to its potential to significantly reduce severe infections and hospitalizations.
Produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Mosquirix has undergone extensive testing in Africa and has been piloted in three countries. However, GSK’s production capacity is limited to approximately 15 million doses per year. Some experts believe that a second malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University, which was approved by the WHO in October, may offer a more practical solution. This alternative vaccine is cheaper, requires three doses, and India’s Serum Institute has expressed its ability to manufacture up to 200 million doses annually. It is hoped that there will be sufficient availability of the Oxford vaccine to commence immunization later this year.
It is important to note that neither of these malaria vaccines can stop transmission of the disease. Therefore, complementary measures such as the use of bed nets and insecticidal spraying will continue to be crucial in the fight against malaria. The disease is primarily spread to humans through infected mosquitoes and can cause symptoms such as fever, headaches, and chills.
The introduction of a routine malaria vaccine program in Cameroon marks a significant step forward in the battle against this deadly disease. By prioritizing the immunization of children, the country is taking a proactive approach to protect its most vulnerable population. With the support of organizations like Gavi and the development of more accessible vaccines, there is hope that Africa can make significant progress in reducing the burden of malaria and ultimately save countless lives.