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Malawi's government says malaria vaccine could be a key new tool in the fight against this debilitating disease, as the Ministry of Health begins vaccinating children as part of RTS 'first large-scale pilot, the World Health Organization. the most advanced candidate vaccine in the world. development – from 23 April 2019.
Sanda: The vaccine against Malawi ready for use
Case Management Officer and Malaria Vaccine Officer at the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), John Sande, said the country is ready for the deployment of the vaccine targeting 11 districts of Karonga, Nkhatabay, Ntchisi, Mchinji , Lilongwe, Balaka, Machaka. , Mangochi, Chikwawa, Phalombe and Nsanje.
Sande confirmed during the orientation of media staff on the malaria vaccine that took place in Salima this week.
The RTS, S vaccine causes the immune system to attack the malaria parasite, which is transmitted by mosquito bites.
Malawi has been selected with Ghana and Kenya as they already have extensive malaria control programs, including the use of mosquito nets, while maintaining a high number of cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and other development partners support the program.
"Yes, it is true that we are beginning vaccination of our children but we insist that we start with a gradual approach in 11 districts," Sande said.
Sande said the preparations for the vaccination exercise were going well, saying the vaccines had already been shipped.
"In addition to sending vaccines to the districts, we have also trained health workers who will perform the exercise," Sande said.
He said that clinical trials had already taken place and that it was a pilot implementation targeting children under 2 years old.
The malaria vaccine will be administered in four doses. Children will receive the first dose at 5 months, the second at 6 months, the third dose at 7 months and the fourth and last dose at 22 months.
According to the WHO, the vaccine reduced malaria prevalence by 39% in children who received 3 doses of RTSS in the age group of 5 to 17 months, which amounts to preventing nearly 4 Malaria case out of 10.
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