Health workers in Ivory Coast began vaccinating children against malaria on Monday, the country’s leading cause of child mortality, as the government introduced the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization program.
The West African nation became the first to deploy the latest malaria vaccine, aiming to cover approximately 250,000 children under two years old.
“This decision underscores the government’s commitment to investing in the health of our children, our most precious treasures,” said Health Minister Pierre Demba during a ceremony marking the campaign’s launch. “We are dedicated to ensuring their protection and well-being because they represent the future of our country.”
The three-dose vaccine, known as R21/Matrix-M, developed by Britain’s Oxford University, received authorization from the World Health Organization (WHO) last October.
Alice Kanga, among the parents bringing their children for vaccination, emphasized its importance: “It’s really important for the children, for their health.”
In 2021, WHO endorsed another malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, which required four doses with protection waning within months.
India’s Serum Institute has produced 25 million doses of the Oxford vaccine and plans to manufacture at least 100 million annually.
Malaria primarily affects children under five and pregnant women, with more than 94% of global cases and 608,000 deaths annually in Africa.
Dr. Fatim Tall, acting WHO Representative in Ivory Coast, stated at the ceremony that the vaccine would “guarantee without any doubt that our children will not only survive past their first birthday but also reach adulthood in good health.”
However, experts caution that malaria vaccines do not prevent disease transmission, emphasizing ongoing preventive measures such as insecticide spraying and bed net use.
