The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, on Thursday said the Global Vaccine Alliance, GAVI has promised to prioritise Nigeria in the rollout of the R21/Matrix-Mmalaria vaccine.
Mr Pate, who made this known during Gavi’s visit to the Primary Healthcare Centre in New Karu, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, said malaria is a very important disease that should be addressed.
“Gavi just told us that they will prioritise Nigeria in the rollout of the new malaria vaccine over time,” he said.
“That does not mean no more nets, that does not mean no treatment, but at least we have additional tools in the fight against malaria”.
Malaria burden
Malaria, a disease caused by a parasite, spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, kills more than 600,000 people yearly, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, also accounts for a high percentage of the malaria burden…
