Ghana receives 400,000 doses of new malaria vaccine for pilot project

Health News Saturday, April 13, 2019

Source: 3news.com

2019-04-13

Ghana has taken delivery of 400,000 doses of the new RTS, S or Mosquirix malaria vaccine as part of the pilot malaria vaccine implementation program (MVIP) starting on 1 May in 33 districts and six selected regions.

According to the Director General of Health Services of Ghana, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare of the Food and Drugs Authority has authorized the use of drugs in the six selected regions namely: Volta, Oti, Ahafo, Bono, Bono East and Central.

"We assessed and ensured the proper capacity of the country's cold chain and injection waste management," said Dr. Nsiah Asare about vaccine storage.

The vaccine should prevent at least 50 000 cases of malaria and save about 750 children in the intervention areas.

In Ghana, malaria causes about 2,000 deaths per year, of which about 48% occur in children under five.

The vaccine has become an additional tool of intervention to accelerate the country's efforts to control and eliminate the disease.

Dr. Badu Sakodie, director of the Public Health Division of the Ghana Health Service, said the goal of the RTS, S pilot project was to access feasibility, safety and security. Impact of the vaccine in the context of common use alongside other currently recommended treatments. measured.

THE RTS, S OR MOSQUIRIX

The RTS, S or Mosquirix vaccine is an injectable developed to protect Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children.

Plasmodium falciparum is the main parasite of malaria responsible for 80 to 90% of cases of severe morbidity and mortality, mainly in children under 5 years and pregnant women.

The vaccine stimulates the body's immune system to defend against malaria by preventing the parasite from infecting, maturing and multiplying in the liver.

All eligible children will be targeted to receive the full 4 doses of the new vaccine from the 6th, 7th, 9th and 24th months.