The Gavi vaccine alliance announced on Wednesday that nearly 10 million doses of the RTS,S malaria vaccine have been delivered to African countries since the rollout of routine immunization began last year.
This milestone represents a significant step forward in the fight against malaria, a disease that disproportionately affects children in Africa.
The RTS,S malaria vaccine, developed by GSK, has shown promise in reducing severe malaria illness and hospitalizations in pilot programs conducted in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.
Following the success of these pilot programs, routine immunization with the RTS,S vaccine was initiated in these three countries and 14 others in January 2024.
Gavi emphasized the importance of reaching children at highest risk and ensuring consistent access to all four doses of the vaccine.
Early results from Cameroon have been promising, with a reduction in child mortality rates.
Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Africa, with the continent accounting for the vast majority of global malaria cases and deaths.
Gavi has outlined plans to expand the malaria vaccination program to up to eight more African countries this year, aiming to protect an additional 13 million children.
The organization aims to protect 50 million children with four doses of the malaria vaccine between 2026 and 2030.
This initiative represents a crucial step towards reducing the burden of malaria in Africa and saving countless lives.