Cameroon is poised to become the pioneer in introducing a novel malaria vaccine for children, marking a significant stride in the ongoing global efforts to combat malaria.
Cameroon is set to be the first country to regularly administer a new malaria vaccine to children as part of the ongoing campaign in Africa.
Commencing this Monday, the initiative is deemed a milestone in the prolonged endeavor to combat the mosquito-borne disease, particularly in Africa, which accounts for 95% of global malaria deaths.
Aurelia Nguyen, Chief Program Officer at the Gavi vaccines alliance, described the vaccination as a life-saving measure, providing substantial relief to families and the nation's healthcare system. Gavi is actively supporting Cameroon in securing the vaccine.
Cameroon aims to vaccinate approximately 250,000 children in the current year and the following year. Gavi is collaborating with 20 other African nations to facilitate vaccine access, with the goal of immunizing over 6 million children by 2025.
In Africa, there are around 250 million malaria cases annually, leading to 600,000 deaths, predominantly among young children.
Cameroon will utilize the recently approved malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, as part of the campaign. The World Health Organization endorsed Mosquirix two years ago, recognizing its imperfections but acknowledging its potential to significantly reduce severe infections and hospitalizations.
Produced by GlaxoSmithKline, Mosquirix has an efficacy of around 30%, requires four doses, and offers protection that diminishes after several months. It underwent testing in Africa and was part of pilot programs in three countries.
GSK's production capacity for Mosquirix is limited to about 15 million doses annually. Some experts suggest that a second malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University, approved by WHO in October, might offer a more practical solution. The Oxford vaccine is more cost-effective, requires three doses, and could be manufactured in larger quantities, with India's Serum Institute expressing the capability to produce up to 200 million doses yearly.
Aurelia Nguyen from Gavi expressed hope that a sufficient supply of the Oxford vaccine would be available to commence immunization later this year. Notably, neither of the malaria vaccines halts transmission, necessitating the continued use of other tools such as bed nets and insecticidal spraying.
Malaria, transmitted primarily through infected mosquitoes, can cause symptoms including fever, headaches, and chills.
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