Côte d’Ivoire has made a significant stride in the fight against malaria by becoming the first country to roll out the new R21/Matrix-M vaccine. The inaugural vaccination took place in Abidjan, marking a historic moment in the nation’s public health efforts.
Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé and Minister of Health Pierre Dimba led the rollout ceremony. They were joined by Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar, and notable community members including Kouyate Aïcha and her 8-month-old son Diomandé Aboulaye, who became the first recipients of the vaccine in the country.
The R21/Matrix-M vaccine, co-developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India (SII), received prequalification status from the World Health Organization (WHO) in December of the previous year. This vaccine follows the approval of the RTS,S vaccine, both expected to make substantial public health impacts.
Malaria remains a devastating disease in Africa, causing 600,000 deaths annually, with children under five comprising at least 80% of these fatalities. In Côte d’Ivoire, while the number of malaria-related deaths decreased from 3,222 in 2017 to 1,316 in 2020, the disease continues to claim four lives daily, predominantly young children. The Ministry of Health has highlighted malaria as the leading cause of medical consultations in the country.
The R21/Matrix-M vaccine rollout is expected to significantly reduce the malaria burden by complementing existing preventive measures such as the use of bed nets. The Serum Institute of India has already manufactured 25 million doses and plans to scale up to 100 million doses annually, pricing the vaccine at less than $4 per dose.
A total of 656,600 doses have been sent to Côte d’Ivoire, with an initial goal to vaccinate 250,000 children up to 23 months old across all 16 regions. The R21/Matrix-M vaccine has also been authorized for use in Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.
Gavi, WHO, UNICEF, the Global Fund, and other partners are collaborating with countries to integrate the malaria vaccine into broader malaria control and prevention strategies. By 2024, fifteen African countries are expected to introduce malaria vaccines with Gavi’s support, aiming to reach approximately 6.6 million children with the vaccine over the next two years. Over 30 African countries have expressed interest in adopting the vaccine.
SII CEO Adar Poonawalla highlighted the monumental milestone achieved with the vaccine rollout, emphasizing the long-term collaboration with Oxford and Novavax. Professor Adrian Hill, Director of the Jenner Institute at Oxford University, echoed this sentiment, noting the vaccine’s high efficacy, affordability, and scalability, which are crucial for malaria control in high-need regions.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, remarked on the historic opportunity to turn the tide against malaria in Africa, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, which has been heavily impacted by the disease. The availability of two safe and effective vaccines marks a new era in the battle against malaria.
The rollout of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine in Côte d’Ivoire represents a pivotal moment in the global fight against malaria. With continued support and collaboration among international health organizations and local governments, there is renewed hope for significantly reducing the burden of malaria and saving countless young lives across Africa.
Related topics:
- West Virginia Department of Health Empowers EMS Crews with New Statewide Protocols
- WHO’s First Interregional Meeting on Private Health Sector Governance for UHC
- Navigating New Horizons: Addressing Planetary Health and Human Wellbeing in a Polycrisis World
