Nigeria has received 846,000 doses of the RTS, S/AS01 (Mosquirix) vaccine from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to combat malaria.

This vaccine, proven to reduce malaria cases and mortality among young children in large clinical trials across Africa, makes Nigeria the third country to adopt it, following Ghana and Kenya, which started using it in 2023.

The vaccine rollout is set to begin next month in two high-prevalence states, Kebbi and Bayelsa, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, said yesterday.

Malaria, which is transmitted year-round in southern Nigeria and lasts up to three months in the northern regions, remains a major public health concern, affecting about 97 percent of the population.

During the handover of the RTS, S/AS01 vaccines in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasized the pivotal role the vaccine will play in reducing malaria cases and deaths.

He noted that the arrival of the vaccine marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s fight against malaria and will significantly enhance the country’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease, revealing that the rollout would begin in high-burden regions before expanding nationwide.

The Minister said: “Our target is to prioritize regions most affected by malaria, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited.

“With proper infrastructure, political will, and continued international collaboration, Nigeria is poised to make substantial progress in reducing the disease’s toll and moving toward malaria elimination”.

Asserting that global health partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are providing both technical and financial support to ensure the successful rollout of the malaria vaccine, Pate said, “USAID and other partners are pushing for rapid scale-up beyond the initial two States.

“The aim issue for a nationwide rollout to cover all regions of the country,” Pate added.

Aina, also underscored the importance of the vaccine, noting that Nigeria is among the top 10 contributors to the global burden of malaria, accounting for approximately 27 percent of the global burden and 31 percent of malaria deaths worldwide.

“In 2022, nearly 200,000 deaths from malaria occurred in Nigeria. Children under five years of age, and pregnant women are the most affected, with a national malaria prevalence rate of 22% in children aged 6-59 months as of 2021.

“The vaccine would quicken our malaria control and elimination efforts, as we expect about a 13% reduction in all-cause mortality in children under five and a 22% reduction in hospitalized severe malaria cases.

He however assured that the agency would not compromise deployment of the vaccine for whatever reason, saying, “The WHO recommends prioritization of the vaccine in areas of high to moderate transmission and this is guiding our phased introduction strategy.

“Consequently, we are commencing the first phase of the introduction in November, in two States – Kebbi and Bayelsa, with high prevalence of malaria.

“Kebbi because it has the highest prevalence rate in the country (52%); while Bayelsa is selected because its target population of 69,935, and that of Kebbi’s 162,014, aligns with the one million doses available for this phase, thereby ensuring that the vaccine supply is effectively utilized.

“The vaccine will be administered to children aged 5 months to 15 months as part of Routine Immunization.

“Each child requires four doses, given at 5, 6, 7, and 15 months of age, to be fully protected”.

Expressing optimism about the vaccine’s life-saving potential, WHO’s representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, voiced confidence that the vaccine, when combined with other preventive measures, will significantly reduce the malaria burden in Nigeria and bring the country closer to the goal of a malaria-free Africa.

Cholera outbreaks have killed 20 persons in Lagos and Niger states in the past week.

In Lagos, a couple died on Sunday at the Isolo General Hospital, after contracting the disease.

Mr. Emeto and his wife, Augustina, their daughter and a neighbour were allegedly rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital in the wee hours of Sunday.

Besides the couple, another man and a three-year-old were said to have died aslo in Isolo area of Lagos, making four deaths.

It was gathered that the victims started stooling, vomiting and exhibiting other symptoms after eating African salad, popularly called Abacha.

The Nation reported yesterday that hospitals on Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, and environs were overfilled with cholera patients, an upsurge that started since October 9.

A three-year-old died at the weekend in one of the hospitals on Ago Palace Way; a mother and her three children were also brought in unconscious to another private facility.

All the cases, sources said, were traceable to the consumption of the staple at Cele Bus Stop in the area.

Checks by our correspondent indicated that the Abacha seller at the bus stop had also been a contact point whenever there was a cholera outbreak in the state.

Abacha is a local delicacy made from fermented cassava and garnished with other ingredients like oil bean seeds, palm oil, potash, and garden eggs. However, there have been concerns about the hygiene condition during its preparation and at the point of sale.

The deaths of the Emetos, who were described as devoted Catholics, rattled fellow parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Isolo.

The residents have been advised to steer clear of the staple.

One of the voice notes shared by a man, identified simply as Romanus, confirmed the couple’s death.

He said: “Around 1 a.m (on Sunday), we got a call that we lost one of our brothers (Emeto). The report was that his wife and daughter were vomiting and stooling and he took them to the hospital.

“On getting to the hospital, he also started to stool and vomit. It was discovered that they ate Abacha on Saturday (said to have been) bought from a woman at Cele Bus Stop. The man died first and the body has been taken to the village.

“The daughter was treated.”

Another church member, who announced Mrs. Emeto’s death on Monday, said a neighbour who joined Mrs. Emeto in eating the staple also started to stool and vomit.

In Niger State, 16 persons have died out of the 165 recorded cases across the state, representing nine per cent mortality rate.

The Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Dangana Ibrahim, announced the deaths in Minna, the state capital.

The commissioner said 145 patients had been treated and discharged from various hospitals.

“To prevent further spread, contingency measures have been implemented, including the distribution of essential medical supplies to affected areas and health facilities,” he said.

Ibrahim listed affected local government areas as Paiko, Gurara, Suleja, Bosso, and Katcha, saying the disease surveillance system had been activated.

The commissioner also said the government had begun active contact tracing and case management in all affected communities.

Also, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, attributed poor hygiene to cholera outbreaks.

Speaking at the Global Hand-washing Day in Abuja, the minister emphasised that inadequate sanitation and hand-washing habits put public health at serious risk.

He said: “Hand-washing with soap remains the first line of defence against outbreaks and reducing the spread of waterborne diseases.”

The minister called for accelerated investment in hygiene infrastructure in homes, schools, and public spaces to close existing gaps.

According to him, better hygiene practices are essential to improving health outcomes, reducing school absenteeism, and boosting productivity.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports that 54 new suspected Mpox cases were recorded in Nigeria during Week 39 of 2024, marking a decline from the 75 cases reported in the previous week.

The NCDC stated this in its latest epidemiological report published on its official website.

According to the agency, the number of confirmed Mpox cases increased, with six new confirmations in Week 39 compared to three the week before.

“The cumulative figures for 2024 show that 84 confirmed cases and 1,237 suspected cases have been reported so far this year,” it said.

Despite the rise in confirmed cases, it said that the country has maintained a low Case Fatality Rate (CFR), with zero deaths recorded from confirmed cases in 2024.

The public health agency noted that as of Week 39, 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have reported confirmed cases of Mpox, affecting 57 Local Government Areas. Plateau, Delta, FCT, Katsina, and Imo states confirmed new cases in the past week.

“Since the outbreak began in September 2017, Nigeria has reported 5,054 suspected cases and 1,170 confirmed cases, with males making up 68 per cent of confirmed cases, mostly aged 21 to 45,” it added.

It said that the National Mpox Emergency Operations Center (EOC) continues to coordinate the response to the outbreak, collaborating with multiple sectors and partners to contain the spread.

The NCDC explained the importance of preventive measures, including avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals, maintaining good hand hygiene, and using protective gear when caring for suspected cases.

It noted that healthcare providers have been urged to remain vigilant, especially in affected areas, and to isolate suspected cases promptly to prevent further transmission.

The agency said it’s also actively engaged in public education, encouraging citizens to report symptoms early and adhere to isolation guidelines if diagnosed with Mpox.

“The public is advised to exercise caution, particularly in states where cases have been reported. Citizens can contact the NCDC’s toll-free number (6232) for more information or to report suspected cases,” the agency advised.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus.

It is similar to smallpox, though generally less severe.

Mpox is characterised by symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

The disease can spread from animals to humans, as well as between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health bodies renamed monkeypox to “mpox” in 2022 to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the original name.

(NAN)