The African continent is making headway in the fight against malaria among young children. Being at the forefront in establishing, strengthening, and supporting member states in disease control and surveillance for priority diseases including HIV and AIDs, tuberculosis, malaria, COIVD-19, hepatitis, and non-communicable diseases in the region, the African Union (AU) through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has welcomed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) historic go-ahead for the malaria vaccine to protect African children. 

On October 6, the WHO recommended the widespread rollout of the first malaria RTS,S vaccine, also known as Mosquirix, to counter the deadly disease across Africa. This comes after a successful pilot program carried out in three African countries i.e. Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi. 

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, said that after the successful pilot program, the RTS,S vaccine should be made available more widely.

“I started my career as a malaria researcher, and I longed for the day that we would have an effective vaccine against this ancient and terrible disease. And today is that day, a historic day. Today, the WHO is recommending the broad use of the world’s first malaria vaccine.”

He added: “Malaria has been with us for millennia, and the dream of a malaria vaccine has been a long-held, but unattainable dream. Today, the RTS,S malaria vaccine, more than 30 years in the making, changes the course of public health history. We still have a very long road to travel. But this is a big stride down that road.” 

Dr. John Nkengasong, the Director of the Africa CDC is encouraged by the development and decision made by the WHO to roll out the vaccine that will help fight against one of the deadliest and most life-threatening diseases that has killed thousands, including children, on the continent. 

“The news of a successful malaria vaccine is a game-changer and must be celebrated. Having such a vaccine that shows that level of effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death in children is remarkable. It is one of the most significant breakthroughs in the last 100 years that we have lived with malaria..”

DID YOU KNOW:

According to the World Malaria Report, released in November 2020, over 229 million cases of malaria were registered in 2019 compared to 228 million cases in 2018. The report also projected that the African Region carries a high share of the global malaria burden of 94% of malaria and deaths in 2019. It was also noted that children under 5 years of age are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria as of 2019, as they accounted for 67% (274 000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.

For further information please contact:
Mrs Wynne Musabayana, Head of Communication. Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union,org | www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
Edward Kalema | E-mail: KalemaE@africa-union.org
+251974351042 / +256702667403
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission, E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.africa I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube