12 hours Ago By Roger A. Agana
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, Roger A. Agana, https://newsghana.com.
gh/mali-launches-hybrid-malaria-vaccine-strategy-to-tackle-high-disease-burden/Mali has introduced a pioneering hybrid approach to malaria vaccination, becoming the 20th African country to roll out the lifesaving immunization amid persistent high caseloads and deaths linked to the disease.The strategy, unveiled on World Malaria Day, combines age-based dosing with seasonal administration to maximize protection during peak transmission periods, health officials announced Friday.Under the plan, children aged 5 to 36 months will receive the first three doses of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine monthly, followed by fourth and fifth doses timed seasonally in May or June ahead of Mali’s high malaria risk window.
The method aims to align peak vaccine efficacy with heightened mosquito-borne transmission, building on research showing seasonal dosing improves impact. Initial rollout will target 19 districts across five regions bearing the heaviest burden, using 927,800 vaccine doses procured through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.Mali recorded 8.
15 million malaria cases and 14,328 deaths in 2023 3.1% and 2.4% of global totals, respectively placing it among 11 nations with the world’s highest disease burden, per the 2024 WHO World Malaria Report.
Cases surged by 1.4 million between 2019 and 2023, reflecting broader challenges across Africa, which accounts for 94% of global malaria infections and 95% of fatalities.Health Minister Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré hailed the vaccine’s introduction as a milestone, crediting researchers and international partners including Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF for supporting Mali’s Expanded Programme on Immunization.
“This reinforces our efforts to reduce malaria’s toll,” she said, emphasizing community readiness to scale the initiative.The hybrid model marks an evolution from earlier campaigns in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, where Gavi-funded pilots of the RTS,S vaccine reduced child mortality by 13%. WHO’s Mali representative Dr.
Patrick Kabore noted the R21 vaccine complements existing tools like insecticide-treated nets and preventive chemotherapies, calling it “one of public health’s most consequential recent breakthroughs.”Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar stressed the urgency of sustained funding as the alliance seeks resources for its 2026–2030 strategy, aiming to protect 50 million more African children.
UNICEF’s Mali chief Dr. Pierre Ngom highlighted grassroots engagement efforts, including youth volunteers using digital platforms to combat vaccine misinformation.The launch follows Uganda’s record-scale rollout last month, part of a continental push that has delivered 24 million malaria vaccine doses since 2023.
With 20 African nations now immunizing, coverage extends to regions representing over 70% of the global malaria burden.Challenges remain: Gavi requires $9 billion for its next funding cycle to maintain momentum, while countries like Mali must balance vaccine integration with broader health system strains. Yet the hybrid strategy offers a template for tailoring interventions to local transmission patterns a critical step as climate shifts alter disease dynamics.
As Mali begins implementation, global health leaders warn that progress remains fragile. “Without consistent investment,” Nishtar cautioned, “this vital tool won’t reach those who need it equally.” The campaign’s success could prove pivotal not only for Mali but for malaria-endemic regions worldwide, testing whether innovation can outpace a parasite that still claims a child’s life nearly every minute.
News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, Roger A. Agana, https://newsghana.com.
gh/mali-launches-hybrid-malaria-vaccine-strategy-to-tackle-high-disease-burden/.
