Lara Adejoro
Malaria vaccination will commence December 2nd, 2024, in Kebbi and Bayelsa states, Saturday PUNCH reports.
The Head of the Public Relations Unit at the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Remi Adeleke, and the Strategic Advisor to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Olugbenga Mokuolu, disclosed this to our correspondent on Saturday.
Adeleke said, “Malaria vaccination commences on December 2nd, 2024 in Bayelsa, and Kebbi states.”
Also, Mokuolu confirmed that the vaccination would begin in Kebbi and Bayelsa states on December 2.
“There will be a formal vaccine launch into the country on December 2nd, 2024.”
In October, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina, said the first phase of the vaccination would commence in Kebbi and Bayelsa because of the prevalence and target population in the states.
“Kebbi, because it has the highest prevalence rate in the country (52 per cent); while Bayelsa is selected because its target population of 69,935, and that of Kebbi’s 162,014, aligns with the one million doses available for this phase, thereby ensuring that the vaccine supply is effectively utilised.
“The vaccine will be administered to children aged five months to 15 months as part of routine immunisation. Each child requires four doses, given at 5, 6, 7, and 15 months of age, to be fully protected. The introduction will be expanded to other states and integrated into our national routine immunisation schedule, as we receive additional doses.
“The second phase will target 19 States and FCT, while the third phase will target the remaining 15 States. Both phases are scheduled for 2025. To ensure a successful roll-out, we have established an elaborate cross-programme coordinating mechanisms that bring together key stakeholders and expertise in the malaria and immunisation space at the national, and subnational levels,” Aina stated.
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