On January 22, 2024, Cameroon became the first country to introduce the RTS,S malaria vaccine into its Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This milestone follows the success of a pilot program in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. Cameroon selected 42 high-risk health districts across its 10 regions for the initial rollout, demonstrating its commitment to tackling one of the continent’s deadliest diseases.
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The vaccine has been warmly received in the central African country, especially by parents like Blandine Kengue, who immediately took her six-month-old daughter, Maëlle, for the vaccination. “Malaria takes too many lives… If my other children were eligible, I would also vaccinate them,” said Kengue. This response highlights the widespread concern over malaria, a leading cause of child mortality in the country.
The Cameroonian government, in collaboration with WHO, Gavi, and UNICEF, “has worked tirelessly to ensure a successful introduction of the vaccine,” say local officials and health workers. “With this vaccine, we are confident that hospitalization and mortality rates will significantly decrease,” says Dr. Paul Onambele, Chief of Health for the Soa district. Health authorities have prioritized community education and awareness, ensuring that parents understand the importance of vaccination.
The rollout of the vaccine in Cameroon not only strengthens the national fight against malaria but also sets a precedent for other African nations. Seven additional countries have followed Cameroon’s example by introducing the vaccine into their immunization programs.