Launch of Malaria Vaccination in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Administration of First Vaccines
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has begun administering the first vaccines against malaria, a disease that causes tens of thousands of deaths each year in the country. The vaccines were given to children, mainly those under the age of five, who are most vulnerable to the disease, according to a statement released Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Epidemiological context
Statistics reveal that malaria caused more than 24,000 deaths and affected more than 27 million people in the DRC, according to the Ministry of Health report in 2022. In June, the country received 693,500 doses of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, recommended by WHO to vaccinate children aged 6 to 23 months.
Deployment Details
The first doses of this vaccine were administered by injection to children at least 6 months old in Mbanza-Ngungu, a town in the Kongo-Central province (west). With this launch, the DRC becomes the 15th African country to introduce vaccination against malaria, thus expanding access to more effective prevention methods against this disease.
Malaria Control Strategy
In its malaria control plan for the period 2024-2028, the DRC aims to protect 80% of at-risk populations. This plan includes the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and the expansion of preventive treatments for pregnant women and infants.
Conclusion: A Crucial Step in the Fight Against Malaria
Malaria, also known as malaria, is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and causes more than 600,000 deaths per year, 95% of which occur in Africa. According to WHO, a child dies of malaria every minute on the continent. Malaria vaccines, first introduced in Malawi in April 2019, have proven effective in significantly reducing severe cases of the disease. The launch of vaccination in the DRC marks a significant step forward in the fight against this devastating disease.
