Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin officially announced the arrival of 215,900 doses of the RTS.S malaria vaccine at Cotonou airport. This pivotal development underscores Benin Republic’s commitment to addressing malaria, a prevalent health challenge in the region.
The upcoming vaccination campaign, scheduled to commence in the coming months, will predominantly focus on immunising approximately 200,000 children under the age of two. Faustin Yao, a distinguished immunisation specialist at the UNICEF office in Benin, provided detailed insights into the vaccination schedule. Infants are slated to receive four doses at six, seven, nine, and 18 months.
Malaria poses a significant public health burden in Benin, contributing to a staggering 40 percent of outpatient consultations and 25 percent of hospital admissions. The introduction of the RTS.S vaccine aligns with international efforts to mitigate the impact of malaria.
Benin Republic now joins the league of African nations actively pursuing malaria vaccination initiatives, following the notable footsteps of Cameroon and Sierra Leone. The initial phase of this vital undertaking unfolded in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, orchestrated by the World Health Organisation and funded by prominent contributors, including the GAVI Vaccine Alliance.
GAVI reported commendable progress in the three African countries, where over two million children have received vaccinations. This initiative led to a remarkable decline in mortality rates and a substantial reduction in severe malaria cases and related hospitalisations.
Malaria, caused by a parasite transmitted through specific mosquito species, remains a persistent global challenge, further compounded by escalating resistance to treatment. According to the World Health Organisation’s data for 2021, there were 247 million reported malaria cases worldwide, with 619,000 fatalities. Africa bore the brunt of this burden, accounting for 95 percent of cases and 96 percent of deaths.
In a related landmark development reported in November, Cameroon proudly became the first African nation to receive malaria vaccines, setting the stage for collaborative efforts across the continent to address this pressing health issue.
