Nigeria is set to roll out the malaria vaccine in Kebbi and Bayelsa States before the end of 2024, according to the national coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr Godwin Ntadom.
Speaking on Tuesday at media chat in Abuja, Ntadom confirmed that the vaccine is new and Nigeria has subscribed to it.
He mentioned that Cameroon and Kenya have already started using the vaccine, and Nigeria will soon follow suit. Stating, “The initial rollout will begin in Kebbi and Bayelsa states, with plans to expand it to other parts of the country.”
Ntadom also discussed Nigeria’s efforts towards malaria elimination, stating that the country aims to reduce malaria prevalence to 10% by 2025 and ensure that it is no longer a public health challenge. He highlighted that the burden of malaria has already decreased from 27% in 2015 to 22% in 2021, and further reductions are expected in 2024.
To combat malaria, the NMEP has implemented various strategies, including the distribution of treated mosquito nets and anti-malaria medicine. In areas where rainfall is seasonal and malaria cases increase during the rainy season, the NMEP has also introduced seasonal malaria chemopreventive treatment. Overall, these interventions have led to a reduction in mortality rates in the northern regions where malaria is prevalent.
Ntadom emphasised the importance of purchasing antimalarial drugs that contain artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for effective treatment.
He warned against buying monotherapy drugs, as they are less effective in clearing all malaria parasites.
