Nigeria has received 846,000 doses of a groundbreaking malaria vaccine aimed at reducing the country’s high incidence of malaria, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate announced during an event on Thursday in Abuja that the vaccines are expected to play a pivotal role in lowering malaria cases and related deaths.
The malaria vaccine, known as RTS,S/AS01 (‘Mosquirix’), has been proven to reduce malaria cases and mortality among young children in large clinical trials across Africa. Nigeria is the third African country to introduce the vaccine, following Ghana and Kenya, which began using it in 2023.
Malaria remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, affecting 97 per cent of the population. Transmission occurs year-round in southern regions and lasts up to three months in the northern regions.
The primary malaria vectors are ‘Anopheles coluzzii’ and ‘Anopheles gambiae,’ with ‘Anopheles funestus’ playing a secondary role in some areas.
Pate highlighted that the vaccine would significantly boost the country’s ongoing malaria elimination efforts.
“Our target is to prioritise regions most affected by malaria, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited,” he said.
He added that the vaccine rollout would begin in high-burden regions before expanding nationwide.
Global health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, are providing technical and financial support to ensure the successful implementation of the vaccine.
“USAID and other partners are pushing for rapid scale-up beyond the initial two states, aiming for a nationwide rollout to cover all regions of the country,” Pate said.
He emphasised that the arrival of the malaria vaccine in Nigeria marks a historic step in the fight against malaria. “With proper infrastructure, political will, and continued international collaboration, Nigeria is poised to make substantial progress in reducing the disease’s toll and moving toward malaria elimination,” he added.
Executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aino announced that the initial rollout would target two states, Bayelsa and Kebbi, chosen due to their high malaria burden and logistical challenges.
“In Bayelsa, which has significant riverine areas, reaching remote communities has been a challenge for health interventions. However, strengthened healthcare systems and enhanced cold chain capabilities are expected to ensure the vaccine reaches even the most isolated populations,” he explained.
UNICEF Chief of Health in Nigeria, Dr. Eduardo Celades noted that recent upgrades to the national cold store in Abuja have tripled its storage capacity, while the overall cold chain infrastructure across the country has doubled in the past year.
“This capacity-building effort ensures that vaccines remain potent and are safely distributed to health facilities nationwide,” Celades added.
He emphasised that the malaria vaccine is a significant addition to Nigeria’s toolbox for combating malaria, alongside seasonal malaria chemo-prevention (SMC) and other preventive measures.
“It is expected to drastically reduce the burden of malaria in Nigeria, which currently sees hundreds of thousands of cases and over 194,000 deaths annually, with children under five years old being the most affected.”
WHO’s representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, expressed optimism about the vaccine’s potential to save lives. “We are confident that this vaccine, in combination with other preventive measures, will drastically reduce the burden of malaria in Nigeria and help us move closer to achieving the goal of a malaria-free Africa.”
The vaccine delivery comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to reduce malaria-related deaths under the National Malaria Strategic Plan (NMSP) 2021–2025, which aims to reduce malaria prevalence and mortality by at least 50 percent by 2025.
National coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Prof. Gbenga Mokuolu hailed the vaccine as a “game-changer.” However, he cautioned that it must be paired with continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and education. “The vaccine is not a magic bullet. Sustained efforts, including awareness campaigns and improved healthcare delivery, will be key in ensuring that the benefits of the vaccine reach every corner of the country,” Mokuolu said.
Science Nigeria reports that the vaccine rollout is expected to begin within weeks, with a nationwide campaign planned to encourage families to vaccinate their children.
Nigeria accounts for 27 per cent of global malaria cases and 31 percent of global malaria deaths, making it the country with the highest malaria burden in the world. While the prevalence of malaria among children under five dropped from 42 per cent in 2010 to 23 per cent in 2018, there are still significant disparities between rural (31 per cent) and urban (13 per cent) populations, as well as socioeconomic groups.
In response to the ongoing malaria crisis, the NMEP launched the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) approach, aiming to reduce malaria prevalence to below 10 per cent and malaria-related deaths to fewer than 50 per 1,000 people by 2025.
Efforts include switching to injectable artesunate for severe malaria treatment and increasing preventive treatments for pregnant women. However, challenges such as low antenatal care attendance and limited access to treatment remain obstacles to further progress.
