The Federal government has received the first batch of 846,000 doses of the R21 malaria vaccine from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The official launch of these vaccines occurred on Thursday, attended by officials from the Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and various development partners.
Speaking to newsmen while taking delivery of the vaccines, the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, described the arrival of the vaccines as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to eliminate malaria in the country.
He said the vaccines would first be distributed to states with the highest burden of the disease, particularly Kebbi and Bayelsa and would serve as a complement to other treatments for malaria.
Pate also addressed concerns regarding the vaccine’s effectiveness, affirming that it has been proven safe and effective for treating malaria.
Also, the Director General of the NPHCDA, Muyi Aina, explained the plans for distribution, adding that an enforcement team would be set up by the agency and the date and location for the administration of the vaccines would be communicated in due course.
Aina revealed that approximately 140,000 doses are anticipated in the upcoming months, with the goal of providing one million vaccines in the initial batch.
The R21 malaria vaccine, administered in two doses per vial, was developed by the Serum Institute of India.
