As the pilot project of First Malaria Vaccine introduced, showing positive results among children by reducing the child mortality due to malaria by 13%. Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at the World Health Organization mentioned in his press release that recent study shows 13 % reduction in all-cause mortality (excluding trauma) among children eligible for vaccination.
Dr Kate O’Brien mentioned that the move of introduction of malaria vaccine for the children will reduce health burden associated with malaria, also suffering of children and their families. It helps to reduce financial burden of healthcare system as well.
There is remarkable progress in the malaria vaccine pilot project in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi to fight against mosquito borne diseases.
According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are estimated 3.5 million new cases and 10,700 deaths each year in Kenya with high incidence of Malaria in Western Kenya.
Two Malaria vaccine RTS,S and ASO1 which was recommended by World Health Organization in 2021 are safe and effective in preventing malaria in children and will expected to have significant public health impact in the future.
Nearly Half million children die from malarial disease in African region every year. So the burden of disease is very high in the region.
As per Dr Kate O’Brien, nine more countries in sub saharan africa are going to introduce vaccine in their routine immunization programs from 2024. These countries are Uganda, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), Liberia, Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone.
She also stated that once R21/Matrix-M vaccine get prequalification from World Health Organization, some other countries are also going to introduce it in their immunization schedule.
Malaria is fatal disease caused by parasite Plasmodium which is transmitted by mosquito to the humans. Four types of Malarial parasites like Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium Ovale, Plasmodium malariae cause malaria. Plasmodium falciparum cause severe form of malaria. Malaria is transmitted by infective Female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is not contagious disease.
High grade fever with shaky chills and flu like symptoms are seen in Malaria disease. Malaria can be prevented by using anti malarial drugs, using insecticide-treated bed nets while sleeping, using insect repellent and wearing long sleeved cloths.
Dr Kate O’Brien also given in brief about Cervical cancer prevention due to growing consistant efforts of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine programme.
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