Amidst the global toll of over 600,000 lives lost to malaria in 2022, with Africa accounting for 95% of these tragic fatalities, Côte d’Ivoire has embarked on a crucial initiative.

The nation has recently received its first shipment of malaria vaccines, marking a significant advancement in its efforts to combat a disease that claims the lives of four individuals daily, predominantly young children, as announced by the government on Saturday.

This initial delivery includes 656,600 doses of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, a milestone aimed at immunizing approximately 250,000 children aged 0 to 23 months across 16 regions. Despite progress in reducing malaria-related deaths from 3,222 in 2017 to 1,316 in 2020, malaria continues to be the leading cause of medical consultations in Côte d’Ivoire, according to the Ministry of Health.

The authorization of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine in neighboring countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic underscores its regional importance in the fight against malaria. In addition to vaccination efforts, the Ivorian government is actively distributing mosquito nets and conducting insecticide spraying in endemic areas to further strengthen its malaria control strategies.

Malaria, characterized by symptoms such as fever, headaches, and chills, can lead to severe complications or death if left untreated. The introduction of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for children, represents a critical step forward in reducing malaria’s devastating impact across the region.