Chad has kicked off an ambitious triple vaccine rollout, including the R21 malaria vaccine, marking a significant step forward in its efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of millions of children.
Along with the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended R21 malaria vaccine, Chad is simultaneously rolling out PCV13 pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines, targeting 19.7 million children aged between six months and five years, among them 168 522 (aged between six and 15 months) will receive the malaria vaccine being introduced in 28 priority districts.
WHO, together with partners including GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and Gates Foundation, is supporting the triple vaccine rollout in Chad, which has received a total of 157 900 doses of the R21 vaccine.
“This is a very important day for Chad and its children. Malaria vaccines are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control, and the scale up of accessibility in Africa will save tens of thousands of young lives every year,” said Dr Anya Blanche-Philomene Malanga, WHO Representative in Chad.
The launch on Monday, October 28, brings to 14 the number of countries on the continent that offer malaria vaccination, extending access to more comprehensive malaria prevention.
Malaria remains endemic in Chad. In 2023 the country recorded about 1.75 million cases of which 36.4% were children under five years of age. A consistent primary health care challenge, malaria cases account for 43% of medical consultations, 36% of hospitalizations and responsible for 30% of hospital deaths, constituting a significant burden to country’s the health system.
In preparation for the rollout, WHO, through the Accelerating Malaria Vaccine Introduction and Roll-out in Africa initiative, has supported rigorous, multi-dimensional preparation activities, including the implementation of targeted training of health care staff, and the creation of a multi-channel communication plan to raise public awareness and mobilize stakeholders.
An inter-agency coordination committee, chaired by Chad’s Minister of Health, Dr Abdelmadjid Abderahim Mahamat, will coordinate and oversee the initiative in line with the National Development Plan.
High-level political will and community demand for malaria vaccines are refocusing attention on the disease, and the notable impact that can be achieved with a strategic combination of interventions for optimal impact.
Pilot introductions of the first RTS,S malaria vaccine into routine immunization programmes in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi from 2019, through the WHO-coordinated Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme, significantly reduced child deaths, and increased access to malaria prevention.