THE Federal Government has announced that the malaria vaccine will now be included in the national routine immunization schedule.
This decision comes as part of its commitment to eliminating malaria, a disease that costs the country an estimated $1.1 billion annually due to health-related issues.
During the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN) held in Abuja last week, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare, emphasized that malaria is not only a health crisis but an economic and developmental emergency that must be addressed.
Prof. Pate stated, “Malaria continues to take an unacceptable toll on Nigeria. With 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of malaria deaths, our country bears a significant burden. In 2022 alone, over 180,000 Nigerian children under five lost their lives to malaria—a tragedy we have the means to prevent.”
He further stressed the economic impact of malaria, declaring, “This is not merely a health crisis; it is an economic and developmental emergency. Malaria reduces productivity, raises out-of-pocket health expenses, and exacerbates poverty. The annual loss to Nigeria’s GDP due to malaria exceeds $1.1 billion, highlighting the urgent need for its elimination.”
According to Prof. Pate, eliminating malaria is a crucial element of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which aims to transform the health sector in line with the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a recent update, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) announced on its X handle that malaria vaccines will now be part of the national routine immunization program. This vaccine will provide protection for millions of children and bring Nigeria closer to a malaria-free future.
The rollout of the malaria vaccine will begin in Kebbi and Bayelsa states as part of its first phase. Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in Nigeria and across Africa, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of children under five each year. Nigeria is responsible for approximately 27% of the global malaria burden and 31% of malaria deaths worldwide.
In October, the federal government received one million doses of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, donated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, with support from UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Developed by Oxford University and produced by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax, Nigeria is among the first countries to endorse this vaccine, which is intended solely for the prevention of malaria in children, not adults.
Dr. Muyi Aina, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, stated that the vaccine will be administered to children aged five to 15 months as part of routine immunization.
He added, “The introduction will be expanded to other states and incorporated into our national routine immunization schedule as we receive more doses. The second phase will target 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while the third phase will cover the remaining 15 states, both scheduled for 2025.”