Nigeria anticipates malaria vaccine by 2024 – FG
The Federal Government has expressed optimism that Nigeria will receive the newly-recommended R21/Matrix-M vaccine for the prevention of malaria in children by mid-2024, according to Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the R21 malaria vaccine on Monday, based on advice from the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group.
READ ALSO: Gavi to prioritise Nigeria in new malaria vaccine rollout – FG
Dr. Shuaib emphasized the importance of prioritizing Nigeria due to its significant population of children burdened with malaria.
He stated, “WHO has to prioritize Nigeria because Nigeria has a population of kids with a malaria burden, so they have to look at places where the burden of malaria is high and prioritize those countries.”
He also expressed confidence that the vaccine would be available in mid-2024, working closely with the agency’s partner, Gavi.
Although the specific date of Nigeria’s vaccine distribution is yet to be officially announced, Dr. Shuaib assured that it is a top priority for the government. He expressed delight over the WHO’s recommendation of the vaccine, marking it as a great step forward in combating malaria.
