YAOUNDE, Cameroon – Cameroon has become the first country in the world to launch a routine vaccine program against malaria, providing hope for the thousands of children across Africa who fall victim to this deadly disease. Malaria claims the lives of 600,000 people annually in Africa, with children under the age of five accounting for 80% of those deaths. In an effort to combat this, Cameroon is offering the RTS,S vaccine free of charge to all infants up to six months old, with a total of four doses required for full protection.
Although the vaccine has a relatively low efficacy rate, it is still seen as an important tool in the fight against malaria by medical professionals. Shalom Ndoula, a Cameroonian doctor involved in the rollout, believes that the vaccine can significantly reduce cases and deaths from malaria, ultimately leading to the disease’s elimination. The development of this vaccine has been a 30-year endeavor by British drug-maker GSK and has received approval from the World Health Organization.
The launch of the vaccine program in Cameroon is being hailed as a historic moment in the global fight against malaria. Successful pilot campaigns have already taken place in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi, and 20 more countries, including Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone, plan to roll out the program this year. The goal is to reach as many vulnerable populations as possible and reduce the annual six million malaria cases reported in Cameroon, which result in 4,000 deaths in health facilities, mostly among children under five.
Despite concerns about vaccine hesitancy, Cameroonian officials emphasize the safety, effectiveness, and cost-free nature of the RTS,S vaccine. Daniele Ekoto, a vaccination official, has reassured parents about the benefits of the vaccine, while acknowledging the fears and doubts some may have. For many parents, the decision to vaccinate their children is fueled by the desire to protect them from the potentially fatal consequences of malaria.
In 2021, Africa accounted for 95% of global malaria cases and 96% of related deaths. The launch of the routine vaccine program in Cameroon represents a significant step forward in addressing this public health crisis. By providing free and accessible vaccination to the most vulnerable populations, Cameroon aims to save countless lives and contribute to the eventual eradication of malaria in Africa.