Cameroon becomes the first country to introduce a regular vaccination programme against malaria, leading global efforts in the fight against the deadly disease.
According to the BBC, the World Health Organization (WHO) has given its approval for the rollout of the RTS,S vaccine, developed by British pharmaceutical giant GSK, in a bid to save thousands of children’s lives across Africa.
The initiative specifically targets infants residing in 42 of Cameroon’s most malaria-affected districts. This groundbreaking development follows successful pilot campaigns conducted in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi.
The vaccine, which requires four doses, is estimated to be around 30% effective, with protection beginning to diminish after several months.
The official rollout is scheduled to commence on Monday, as health officials have hailed the move as a historic achievement, expressing optimism about the potential impact on reducing malaria-related mortality rates in the region.
GSK, the pharmaceutical company behind the RTS,S vaccine, has noted that its production capacity is currently limited to approximately 15 million doses per year. Despite the modest efficacy and production constraints, the global vaccine alliance Gavi reveals that an additional twenty countries are poised to implement similar programs later this year.