The Federal Government has taken delivery of one million doses of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, donated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The hand-over ceremony took place on Thursday in Abuja, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s fight against malaria.
The World Health Organization
(WHO) prequalified the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in December 2023, adding it to its list of approved vaccines. In October 2023, the WHO had recommended its use for the prevention of malaria in children, following the guidance of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group. This prequalification allows for larger access to the vaccine, as it meets the criteria for procurement by UNICEF and funding support for deployment by Gavi.
The R21 vaccine is the second malaria vaccine to be prequalified by the WHO, after the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine, which achieved prequalification status in July 2022. Both vaccines have been proven safe and effective in clinical trials for preventing malaria in children.
During the hand-over ceremony, Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, emphasized the importance of the vaccine in Nigeria’s malaria control efforts. He also highlighted the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to improving healthcare in the country.
“Nigeria accounts for about 27% of the global malaria burden and 31% of malaria deaths worldwide. In 2022 alone, nearly 200,000 deaths from malaria were recorded in Nigeria. Children under five years of age and pregnant women are the most affected, with a national malaria prevalence rate of 22% in children aged six to 59 months as of 2021,” Dr. Aina stated.
He explained that the introduction of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine is expected to reduce overall mortality in children under five by 13%, and reduce severe malaria cases by 22%. The vaccine’s phased introduction will begin in Kebbi and Bayelsa states in November, with Kebbi selected due to its highest national prevalence rate of 52%, and Bayelsa chosen based on its target population of 69,935, which aligns with the available doses.
The vaccine, which requires four doses to be fully effective, will be administered to children aged 5 to 15 months as part of routine immunization. The first three doses will be given at 5, 6, and 7 months, with the final dose at 15 months of age.
Dr. Aina outlined the phased rollout plan, with the first phase covering Kebbi and Bayelsa states, followed by the second phase targeting 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025, and the third phase addressing the remaining 15 states. He assured that an extensive cross-program coordinating mechanism has been established to ensure the successful rollout of the vaccine, bringing together key stakeholders and experts at both national and subnational levels.
The introduction of the R21 malaria vaccine marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat malaria and improve the health outcomes of its most vulnerable populations.