Nigeria to Receive First Malaria Vaccine Shipment

Nigeria is set to officially launch its first malaria vaccines, known as RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix), on October 17, aiming to combat one of the deadliest diseases affecting the nation. The initiative, spearheaded by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, is part of a broader effort supported by the World Health Organization, which has noted that Nigeria bears 27% of the global malaria burden, with significant mortality rates among children. A strategic distribution plan will initially focus on high-burden regions before expanding nationwide. In a parallel effort, Uganda plans to introduce a malaria vaccine into its routine immunization schedule in April 2025, targeting children under five years old. This vaccine rollout is part of Uganda’s strategy to reduce the high incidence of malaria, which significantly contributes to child mortality. Both countries highlight the crucial role of vaccination in complementing existing malaria prevention measures.