Nigeria launches new malaria vaccine to combat widespread disease

The country has been cited as the most affected by malaria globally, accounting for approximately 27% of the global malaria burden and 31% of global malaria deaths, according to UNICEF.

The R21 vaccine expected to be cost-free to citizens was developed by scientists at the Oxford University and made by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax.

A total of 1 million vaccine doses are expected to arrive in the country by the end of October.

So far, 846,200 doses of the vaccine have already been secured in partnership with the global vaccine group Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). 153,800 more are expected to follow.

It will be administered in four doses.

According to Nigerian Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, the first phase of the rollout will begin in Kebbi and Bayelsa where high numbers of malaria cases have been recorded.

Over 800,000 doses are set to be distributed during the first phase. Children under one year of age will be mandated to take the vaccine as part of the country’s routine immunisation programme.

"The arrival of the malaria vaccine is a monumental step in our national efforts to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality," Pate was quoted in a joint press release by the partners.

Nigeria is the third country to receive the vaccines following its launch in Ghana and Kenya in 2023.

According to the 2023 World Malaria Report, nearly 200,000 deaths from malaria occurred in Nigeria. Children under five and pregnant women are the most affected, the report further noted.