In a concerted effort to combat malaria and reduce child mortality rates, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with its partners, is set to launch a significant initiative targeting over 286,000 children in Sierra Leone. Scheduled for rollout in April this year, the program will introduce a new malaria vaccine across 15 selected districts, excluding the Western Area Urban region.
Desmond Maada Kangbai, the Program Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, revealed that the aim is to provide four doses of the malaria vaccine to at least 80% of infants in the designated districts. The vaccine’s introduction will begin at six months of age, ensuring eligible children receive the first dose during the rollout period.
Emphasizing the safety and efficacy of the malaria vaccine, Dr. Kangbai assured the public that it has been prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and approved by the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone. Drawing on successful administration in other countries, he highlighted its effectiveness in preventing severe malaria-related morbidity and mortality among children under five years old.
Dr. Kangbai outlined the specific objectives of the vaccine rollout, aiming to increase accessibility to healthcare services in remote communities while bolstering routine immunization coverage. Notably, the initiative seeks to minimize dropout rates between doses of other vaccines, presenting an opportunity for catch-up vaccinations and strengthening overall health service provision at the facility level.
Beyond vaccination, the program will also enhance malaria interventions, including the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and preventive treatments in infants and pregnant women. Additionally, it will integrate nutrition services such as Vitamin A supplementation and de-worming efforts.
With this comprehensive approach, the Ministry of Health endeavors to significantly reduce the burden of malaria and improve child health outcomes across Sierra Leone.
