$1.1bn Lost Annually As FG Introduces Malaria Vaccine Into National Routine Immunisation Schedule

The Nigerian government has announced the inclusion of the malaria vaccine in the national routine immunisation schedule, marking a major step in the country’s fight against the disease. This initiative follows the alarming economic and health toll that malaria continues to have on the nation, with losses estimated at $1.1 billion annually.

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare, made this statement at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN) held in Abuja. He described malaria as not only a health crisis but also an economic and developmental emergency that must be eradicated. According to Pate, Nigeria bears the heaviest global burden of malaria, accounting for 27% of global cases and 31% of malaria-related deaths. In 2022 alone, over 180,000 Nigerian children under the age of five died from malaria, a loss that could be prevented with existing tools.

Highlighting the economic consequences, Pate emphasized that malaria reduces productivity, increases health expenditures, and exacerbates poverty. The disease’s impact on Nigeria’s GDP surpasses $1.1 billion each year, underscoring the urgent need for eradication.

The introduction of the malaria vaccine is a key part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which aims to transform the health sector and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) confirmed that malaria vaccines will now be integrated into the national immunisation program, beginning in Kebbi and Bayelsa states as part of the first phase. This initiative is expected to protect millions of children and bring the country closer to a malaria-free future.

Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in Nigeria, particularly affecting children under five. Nigeria accounts for nearly a third of global malaria deaths. The federal government recently received one million doses of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, which was developed by Oxford University scientists and produced by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax. The vaccine, which targets children aged 5 months to 15 months, is being rolled out with the support of Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The NPHCDA’s Executive Director, Dr. Muyi Aina, confirmed that the vaccine will be added to the national routine immunisation schedule, beginning with children aged 5 to 15 months. As the vaccine rollout progresses, it will expand to more states, with the second phase covering 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the third phase targeting the remaining states by 2025. This expanded vaccination program is seen as a crucial step in reducing malaria incidence and advancing toward a malaria-free future for Nigeria.