Burkina Faso Is The Second Country In Africa To Introduce The Malaria Vaccine

Burkina Faso became the second African country to incorporate the malaria vaccine into its standard immunisation programme on February 5th.

The nation has formally expanded its immunisation plan across 27 health districts to include the RTS,S malaria vaccine.

The World Health Organisation endorsed the vaccine two years ago, recognising that, while flawed, its usage would significantly reduce serious illnesses and hospitalisations.

The malaria parasite is primarily transmitted to humans by infected mosquitos and can cause fever, headaches and chills.

Burkina Faso is one of the most devastated areas in the world. In 2021, over 12.5 million instances of the disease were reported across the country, resulting in an incidence rate of 569 cases per 1,000 people.

Officially, 4,355 individuals died as a result of the parasite infection, but the World Health Organisation says the actual death toll was as high as 18,976.

Cameroon launched the world's first malaria vaccination programme for children on January 22nd.

Cameroon launched the first malaria vaccination programme of the world for children on January 22nd.

According to the Gavi vaccination alliance, the initial phase of vaccine roll-out in Burkina Faso seeks to cover roughly 250,000 children aged 5-23 months in 27 of the  70 health districts of the country.