The Malawi Government through the Ministry of Health yesterday officially launched the extension of Malaria vaccination targeting 900,000 children in 11 districts in Malawi.
The launch took place in Mchinji at Matimba Community Ground.
The vaccine which targets all under- 5 children in Malawi will be administered to 900,000 children in 11 districts and it will be expanded to more districts based on the availability of vaccine.
Speaking at the launch, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Charles Mwansambo said Malaria vaccine is an additional tool to fight Malaria as Malawi accelerate the efforts towards Malaria elimination by 2030.
Mwansambo also noted that Malawi is now making a big progress in the fight against Malaria with the aim of completely eliminating the disease by 20.
He then emphasized to all mothers and caregivers, the need for all children who receive the Malaria vaccine to continue with the use of all other Malaria preventive measures like consistently sleeping under a mosquito net every day all year round.
“As a country we embrace the Malaria vaccine as an important potential complementary strategy for accelerating malaria control and elimination,” explained Mwansambo.
In her remarks, Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Neema Kimambo said Malaria remains a big challenge for Malawi and people must always comply with all other tools of Malaria prevention despite vaccinating the children.
PATH- Centre for Vaccine Innovation and Access Director Scott Gordon said the Malaria vaccine is a significant step towards Malaria control, child survival and health equity.
The launch of Malaria vaccine follows a recommendation from World Health Organization to ensure Malawi must reach out to other areas which were left out in the malaria vaccine exercise which took place some three years ago.
The event was being held under the theme: ‘Zero malaria starts with: My children less than 2 yrs will get malaria vaccines per schedule.’
