World’s first malaria vaccines rollout starts in Cameroon

Cameroon has initiated the rollout of the world’s first malaria vaccine, marking a historic chapter in Africa’s public health.

The RTS,S vaccine, totalling 662,000 doses, is being administered to children in the Central African nation following successful trials in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi between 2019 and 2021. This development signifies an intensified effort to combat malaria in Africa, where 95% of malaria-related deaths occur, with the majority affecting children under the age of five.

Last week, Cape Verde became the first sub-Saharan African country to be malaria-free in 50 years.

“We are not just witnessing but actively participating in a transformative chapter in Africa’s public health history,” said Dr Mohammed Abdulaziz, the division head at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, headquartered in Ethiopia, at a joint online briefing with the World Health Organization.

“For a long time we have been waiting for a day like this … it brings more than just hope, it brings a reduction in the mortality and morbidity associated with malaria.”

The WHO’s Director of Immunizations and Vaccines, Kate O’Brien, highlighted that based on trial data, RTS,S, also known as Mosquirix, could save tens of thousands of lives. Nineteen other African countries plan to introduce the vaccine in 2023, aiming to reach 6.6 million children. Deliveries are expected in Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone.

Eager Families

In Cameroon, excitement has surrounded the vaccine since its delivery in November. Community meetings and open discussions have been organized by Value Health Africa, a local nonprofit, to introduce the vaccine, address concerns, and prevent hesitancy, according to UK Guardian.

Families in Cameroon, eager for this major development, have expressed hope that the vaccine will alleviate the burden of malaria, a prevalent and severe health issue in the country.

At private clinics like the Angels Clinic in Douala, Cameroon, parents, despite facing long queues, eagerly embraced the opportunity for their children to receive the vaccine. The positive impact is already evident, with parents hopeful that the vaccine will spare their children from the regular bouts of malaria.

The global health community recognizes this milestone, as GlaxoSmithKline’s Chief Global Health Officer, Thomas Breuer, expressed excitement about seeing the world’s first malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, in routine use after more than 35 years of dedicated work. A second malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, developed by the University of Oxford, is anticipated to roll out later this year.