2023-07-06 11:42:44
Title: Twelve African Countries Set to Receive 18 Million Doses of Novel Malaria Vaccine
Date: [Insert Date]
Byline: [Author Name]
Twelve African countries have been selected to receive a total of 18 million doses of a groundbreaking malaria vaccine over the next two years. The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the vaccination alliance Gavi and children’s charity Unicef, made the announcement on Wednesday in Geneva.
This significant development marks a crucial step in the fight against malaria, which remains one of the leading causes of death on the African continent. The vaccine has garnered widespread interest, with at least 28 African countries expressing their willingness to receive it.
The vaccine, which has already been administered to over 1.7 million children in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi as part of a pilot project since 2019, has proven to be safe and effective during the testing phase. The WHO reports that it has led to a substantial reduction in the incidence of severe illnesses and deaths among children.
Developed by the British company GlaxoSmithKline, the vaccine, known as RTS,S, targets and combats the malaria pathogen before it infiltrates the blood cells. This preventive approach has shown promise and offers hope for the millions affected by this tropical disease.
Aside from the three countries involved in the initial trial, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Uganda are also set to receive allocations of the vaccine. Deliveries are expected to commence in the last quarter of this year, with routine vaccinations planned from spring 2024.
According to the WHO, nearly 500,000 children under the age of five die from malaria every year. Africa bears the brunt of this infectious disease, accounting for approximately 95 percent of all malaria cases and 96 percent of related deaths worldwide.
This collaborative effort between the WHO, Gavi, and Unicef provides hope for a successful outcome in combatting the devastating impact of malaria. It is a testament to the unwavering dedication to finding innovative solutions in the quest for better healthcare outcomes and a brighter future for millions of children across Africa.
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