The Federal Government has taken delivery of one million doses of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine donated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Muyi Aina, who received the vaccines at a hand-over ceremony in Abuja, said it is a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to protecting the lives of Nigerians.
Aina says the first phase of the vaccination will commence in Kebbi and Bayelsa in November, because Kebbi has the highest prevalence rate in the country and also because both Kebbi and Bayelsa’s target population aligns with the one million doses available for this phase.
He also said the vaccine will be administered to children aged five months to 15 months as part of routine immunization. Each child requires four doses, given at 5, 6, 7, and 15 months of age, to be fully protected.
Aina assured that the vaccine would quicken Nigeria’s malaria control and elimination efforts, as it will be expanded to other states and integrated into the country’s national routine immunization schedule, as they receive additional doses.