Malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01 is anticipated to be available in the nation by April 2024, according to the Federal Government.
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the minister of health, stated during a news conference held on Tuesday to mark World Malaria Day that Nigeria had submitted an application for the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine within the third application window, which concluded on April 18, 2023.
Every year on April 25, World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed to raise awareness of the importance of ongoing financial support and political commitment to malaria prevention and control.
Read Also: Tinubu: Appeal Court Receives Fresh Suit Seeking To Stop Inauguration
This is in response to Nigeria’s failure to submit an application for the vaccine by the deadline of January 17, 2023, the second application window.
The World Health Organisation, in 2021, recommended the widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission.
Meanwhile, a third window of applications for support from Gavi opened until April 18.
Dr Osagie, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mamman Mamuda, said;
Let me also inform you that the National Programme is working closely with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and other stakeholders in accessing and deploying the malaria vaccine (RTS,S) in a phased fashion subject to availability of needed quantity.
The country has also successfully submitted an application to Gavi for the RTS,S vaccine allocation. This is expected to be in-country by April 2024.
