Malaria Vaccine Integrated in Nigeria's National Schedule

After receiving delivery of about 1 million R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccines last month, the Nigerian federal government has officially commenced its malaria vaccination program in Kebbi and Bayelsa states.

The R21 vaccine has also been integrated into the Federal Republic of Nigeria's National Immunization Schedule.

On December 2, 2024, local media reported that Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare, commented, "Malaria continues to exert an unacceptable toll on Nigeria, with 27% of global malaria cases and 31% of global malaria deaths, our country bears the heaviest burden of this disease. In 2022, over 180,000 Nigerian children under the age of five lost their lives to malaria- a tragedy we have the tools to prevent”.

The Serum Institute of India malaria vaccine was released in 2023. Significant shipments to Africa began in May 2024, and the company anticipates distributing over 50 million doses annually.

Time USA recently included R21 in its list of the 'Best Inventions of 2024.'

The R21 vaccine is unavailable in the United States.

The U.S. CDC says that when visiting Nigeria in 2024, visitors should be aware of current health issues, such as measles, diphtheria, polio, and yellow fever.