Government to introduce new malaria vaccine, despite many adverse effects
By Stephen TADAHA
Public health minister, Manaouda Malachie says Cameroonians should have confidence in the health policy implemented by the State as a new malaria vaccine called Mosquirix is being experimented after the reception of 331,200 doses on November 21 at the Yaounde Nsimalen airport.
In a 2-page release from Dr Manaouda Malachie on Wednesday November 29, 2023, he explains that the introduction of the vaccine only came after the essential required steps were done including the approval of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group and the Interagency Coordination Committee and was finally validated by the WHO.
Trials of the vaccine were carried out in 7 African countries and involved over 15,000 children who were followed up for five years.
The Minister however acknowledges that the vaccine has some adverse effects which include fever, irratibility, pain and swelling at the injection site, which all go away 72 hours after injection. Also a febrile convulsion could be observed within 7 days following vaccination.
The first set of the vaccines will be distributed in 42 of the 203 health districts that the country counts and vaccination will either begin in the month of December or at the start of the year 2024.
The Minister reveals that a dose of the vaccine costs approximately FCFA 5,800 but with regard to acceptance by GAVI alliance to support the cost, Cameroon will contribute approximately FCFA 120 per dose of Mosquirix.
For the expected 1 295 600 doses, the Government according to Manaouda Malachie, will pay the sum of FCFA 155.4 million and GAVI alliance will shoulder the remaining FCFA 3.6 billion.
He also says the 331 200 doses received on November 21 did cost the state FCFA 39 744 000.
Added to this, another vaccine developed in Burkina Faso which has an efficacy rate of 67% has also been approved by WHO and Cameroon intends to import it.
