The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that more trials are needed for the recently approved R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). According to WHO, the vaccine has been given provisional approval by NAFDAC, but more trials are necessary before it can be fully recommended.
During a media parley at the UN House in Abuja on Tuesday, WHO Country Representative to Nigeria Dr Walter Mulombo emphasized the importance and efficacy of the RTSS vaccine adopted by countries such as Ghana and Kenya. He also stressed the need for proper policy funding and education in efforts to eradicate malaria in Nigeria and Africa.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Malaria Day during Africa Vaccines Week and World Immunisation Week, Mulombo noted that 96 percent of the world’s deaths and 95 percent of the world’s infections from malaria occurred in Africa. He also highlighted that Nigeria contributed to 79 percent of Africa’s unvaccinated children.