Cameroon becomes the First Nation in the world to engage in a mass malaria vaccine in a bid to reduce the mortality rate and save thousands of children’s lives across Africa.
Eight months old Daniella and her twin brother are the first Cameroonians to take the vaccine at a health care facility near Yaoundé on Monday.
Malaria is one of the most common illnesses that has resulted in the death of many Africans especially children across Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 600,000 people die yearly of Malaria. In 2021, Africa accounted for 95% of malaria cases globally and about 96% of related deaths, BBC reports. In addition, children below the age of five make up 80% of the mortality rate.
The WHO also recorded that Cameroon accounts for about six million malaria cases every year, with 4,000 deaths in health facilities in most cases, children below five.
The Vaccination is made free to infants up to the age of 6 months. A total of 4 doses is required by each patient. However, the vaccine is deemed effective in 36% of cases. Despite the relatively low efficacy, the jab is seen as an additional tool to fighting against the prevalence of malaria as highlighted by a Cameroonian doctor, Shalom Ndoula, who has participated in leading the massive rollout in his country.
“We have a capacity to considerably reduce the number of cases and deaths from malaria and accelerate the elimination of the disease,” Shalom Ndoula told the BBC.
The development team of the RTS vaccine has been subjected to a period of 30 years by the British drug maker, GSK before its use.
The World Health Organization, which approved the vaccine, commends the launch in Cameroon as a very historical and heroic moment in the world against fighting the mosquito-borne disease.
The exercise however proceeds after successful pilot campaigns in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi.
According to the Global Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, more countries have been moved by this exercise, and are also making plans to pull up this same exercise before the year comes to an end.
