The first doses of the Mosquirix vaccine were administered in 42 health care districts last Monday, 22 January.

Children aged from six months by December 31, 2023 are receiving since Monday their first dose of the RTS vaccine. The Minister of Health, Malachie Manaouda, who made the announcement, is planning the next doses according to the vaccination schedule. During this first year of the campaign, 249,133 infants are expected to receive the vaccine. According to the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, the campaign will start with children born on or after July 01, 2023 at the earliest.

The vaccine provides protection against the most severe forms of malaria rocking children. It is administered in four doses at six, seven, nine and 24 months of age. The vaccine is available in all public and private health facilities in 42 of the 204 health districts in the 10 administrative regions, according to the EPI and the National Malaria Control Programme.

Minister Malachie Mananouda received the first dose of the vaccine on December 21, 2023. There were 331,200 doses in this first shipment. The aim is to bring at least 1.3 million doses into the country. This will boost the fight against the disease, which is responsible for 70% of child deaths. The other challenge is to convince parents who are reluctant to vaccinate their children.