NMEP: We’ll start malaria vaccination in Kebbi, Bayelsa before Dec

The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) says malaria vaccination will commence in two states, Bayelsa and Kebbi, before the end of 2024

The NMEP National Coordinator, Dr Godwin Ntadom, made this known while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Ntadom, who noted that only two countries were currently carrying out the vaccination programme, said several strategies were being deployed to reduce the burden of malaria in Nigeria.

He added that more states would come on stream once Nigeria begins vaccinating against malaria.

The NMEP boss said: “So far, only two countries have deployed vaccines. They were piloted in Kenya and Ghana. It is new and the country has also subscribed to it and very soon we are going to start the usage in some states. We are starting with Kebbi and Bayelsa and over time we may extend it to cover some other states.

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“This year we are going to give the vaccine. It is being handled by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency but I am assuring you that before the end of this year, Bayelsa and Kebbi are likely to get vaccines.”

Ntadom, who expressed optimism that NMEP with the support of critical team players including the media was confident of achieving ten per cent malaria prevalence rate by 2025, said although Kebbi State currently has the highest prevalence rate of malaria in the country, the rate of malaria-related deaths in the northern part of the country was recording a decline.

He added: “In 2015, it was 27 per cent; in 2021 it was 22 per cent; and I can assure you that in 2024, it will be less considering the efforts we have put into reducing the burden.

“While working on the former strategies we have deployed new strategies. We provide anti-malaria medicines, we also distribute nets and most recently we have started seasonal malaria chemopreventive treatment, especially in the northern part of the country where malaria is very prevalent and we have received very good commendation. The mortality in that region has reduced as a result of the intervention.

“We have other interventions for pregnant women like the intermittent preventive treatment; we distribute nets for pregnant women not only campaign.

“When pregnant women deliver in the health facility they get free nets in most parts of the country. The other intervention we are trying to pilot to start is the preventive treatment amongst school children.”

The Star