The rollout of the world’s first malaria vaccine in Cameroon signifies a significant milestone in the fight against the disease across Africa. With plans for 19 additional African countries to join the programme, the vaccine brings hope for a region that suffers the vast majority of malaria deaths. The RTS,S vaccine, which has been successfully trialed in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, is now being administered to children in Cameroon. This development is expected to have a transformative impact on public health in Africa, where 95% of malaria-related deaths occur, with the most significant toll on children under five.
In a symbolic gesture, the first jab of the RTS,S vaccine was given to a baby girl named Daniella at a health facility near Yaoundé, Cameroon. With 600,000 people in Africa succumbing to malaria annually, and at least 80% of these deaths being among children under five, the commencement of this routine vaccine program in Cameroon is projected to save thousands of children’s lives across the continent.
Cameroon aims to offer the RTS,S vaccine at no cost to all infants up to the age of six months. This commitment to providing the vaccine free of charge is a crucial step in ensuring access to the vaccine for vulnerable populations. Additionally, the vaccine’s delivery schedule has been integrated with other routine childhood vaccines, streamlining the process for parents and caregivers, who will now be able to have their children receive the malaria vaccine alongside their other routine vaccinations.
The successful rollout of the malaria vaccine in Cameroon is expected to set the stage for a broader scale-up in the fight against malaria across Africa. With plans for 19 additional African countries to join the programme, this development is more than just a beacon of hope; it is an essential step towards reducing the burden of malaria on the continent and ultimately saving the lives of thousands of children.
