Development Partners Send 846,000 Doses of Malaria Vaccines To Nigeria

Nigeria has received 846,000 doses of a groundbreaking malaria vaccine from its development partners.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate announced during an event in Abuja on Thursday that the vaccine is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing malaria-related deaths.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a large clinical trial in Africa has demonstrated that the RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix) vaccine is effective in reducing malaria transmission and infant mortality.

Nigeria is the third African country to introduce the vaccine, following Ghana and Kenya, which began using the vaccine in 2023.

Malaria affects 97% of Nigeria’s population. In the south, the disease is transmitted year-round, and in the north, it can last up to three months.

The main malaria vectors are Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae, with Anopheles funestus playing a secondary role in some areas.

The vaccine was introduced as Nigeria intensifies its efforts to reduce malaria deaths under the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) 2021-2025.

Pate said the vaccine will be a major boost to the ongoing malaria elimination effort.

“Our target is to prioritize regions most affected by malaria, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited,” he said.

He also stated that the rollout of the vaccine will begin in high-burden areas and will then be expanded nationwide.

According to him, global health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, are providing technical and financial support for the successful implementation of the vaccine.

USAID and other partners are pushing for rapid scale-up beyond the initial two states, aiming for a nationwide rollout to cover all regions of the country”, he said.

He said that the arrival of the malaria vaccine marked a historic step in the fight against malaria.

“With proper infrastructure, political will, and continued international collaboration, Nigeria is poised to make substantial progress in reducing the disease’s toll and moving toward malaria elimination,” he said.

Dr Muyi Aino, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency also said that the initial rollout would target Bayelsa and Kebbi, due to their high malaria burden and logistical challenges.

“In Bayelsa, which has significant riverine areas, reaching remote communities has been a challenge for health interventions.

“But, the strengthened healthcare systems and enhanced cold chain capabilities are expected to ensure the vaccine reaches even the most isolated populations,” he said.

Dr Eduardo Celades, UNICEF Chief of Health in Nigeria, added that recent upgrades to the national cold store in Abuja have tripled its storage capacity, and the overall cold chain infrastructure across the country has doubled in the past year.

“This capacity-building effort ensures that vaccines remain potent and are safely distributed to health facilities nationwide,” Celades said.

He noted that the malaria vaccine is a significant addition to Nigeria’s toolbox for combating malaria, alongside seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) and other preventative measures.

The WHO representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, expressed optimism about the vaccine’s potential to save lives.

“We are confident that this vaccine, in combination with other preventive measures, will drastically reduce the burden of malaria in Nigeria and help us move closer to achieving the goal of a malaria-free Africa”, he said.

National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Prof. Gbenga Mokuolu praised the vaccine as a game-changer.

However, He warned that it must be paired with continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and education.

“The vaccine is not a magic bullet. Sustained efforts, including awareness campaigns and improved healthcare delivery, will be key to ensuring that the benefits of the vaccine reach every corner of the country,” Mokuolu said.