Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone launched a large-scale rollout of the malaria vaccine on Thursday to protect millions of African children across the West African states.

With the announcement on World Malaria Day, the number of African countries incorporating the vaccines into their childhood immunisation programmes increased to eight. 

The World Health Organisation in Benin said in a statement that the coordinated initiative aims to strengthen vaccine distribution across Africa.

The statement said that over 30 countries have indicated interest in adopting the vaccine with support from organisations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as efforts to fight the disease with existing strategies like insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention continues.

It said that Benin, having received 215,900 doses, has seamlessly integrated the malaria vaccine into its Expanded Programme on Immunisation, targeting children from around five months of age. 

Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin stressed the vaccine’s pivotal role in protecting children from the illness, reassuring the public of its safety and effectiveness.

Meanwhile, in Liberia, the vaccine rollout began in Rivercess County, an area with high malaria prevalence, with plans to extend coverage to five additional counties. 

Liberia’s Health Minister, Louise Kpoto, hailed the vaccine’s introduction as a transformative milestone in the fight against malaria, rallying communities, healthcare workers, and international partners to combat the disease and secure a brighter future for the country’s youths.

The deployment of two WHO-recommended vaccines, RTS, S and R21, has shown promising results in pilot programmes across Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, significantly reducing malaria cases and child mortality rates. 

Sierra Leone’s Health Minister, Austin Demby, emphasised the collective endeavour to eradicate malaria, leveraging a comprehensive approach to disease prevention and treatment.

Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, stressed the importance of sustained efforts to reduce malaria-related fatalities and strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the region.

Aurelia Nguyen, chief programme officer at Gavi, praised the expansion of malaria vaccine coverage, highlighting its crucial role in saving lives and easing pressure on healthcare systems. 

However, she cautioned against complacency, emphasising the need for continued investment and collaboration to address the multifaceted challenges posed by malaria.