Cameroon has entered a historic chapter in its fight against malaria, receiving a shipment of more than 330,000 doses of the groundbreaking RTS,S vaccine, the first malaria vaccine to gain approval from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Health Minister Manaouda Malachie hailed the arrival as a momentous occasion, underscoring the nation’s dedication to eradicating malaria.
Already in use in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi, the RTS,S vaccine, administered in four doses, represents a crucial advancement in the battle against malaria, a disease that exacts a devastating toll on Africa, where the majority of global cases are concentrated.
The distribution of the vaccine has commenced in earnest, with Kenya, Ghana and Malawi leading the way. In the coming weeks, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone are set to receive their vaccine deliveries, amplifying the collective effort to extend protection across the continent.
Malaria claims over 600,000 lives globally each year, with children bearing the brunt of the burden. The approval of the RTS,S vaccine signifies a monumental step forward in the ongoing struggle to curb malaria-related mortality and morbidity in Africa and other affected regions.