In a landmark health initiative, Benin has received its first shipment of the RTS,S malaria vaccine, a critical step in combating the country’s leading cause of infant mortality. Health Minister Benjamin Hounkpatin announced the arrival of 215,900 vaccine doses at Cotonou airport, with vaccinations set to commence in the coming months.
“Malaria remains a prevalent issue and the primary cause of death among children under five in Benin,” Hounkpatin stated to the media. The vaccine’s introduction is expected to significantly impact the fight against this endemic disease.
In Benin, malaria accounts for 40 percent of outpatient consultations and 25 percent of hospital admissions, as per the health minister’s data. The vaccine rollout aims to immunize approximately 200,000 children under the age of two, according to Faustin Yao, a UNICEF immunization specialist in Benin. Yao informed AFP that infants would receive four doses of the vaccine at six, seven, nine, and 18 months of age.
According to a report by The Guardian, Benin joins Cameroon and Sierra Leone in receiving the RTS,S vaccine, following successful pilot programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. These pilot programs were coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, among others. The vaccination drive in these three African countries led to a notable decrease in malaria mortality, severe cases, and hospitalizations, GAVI reported.
The WHO’s statistics are alarming: almost every minute, a child under the age of five succumbs to malaria. This disease, caused by a parasite transmitted by specific types of mosquitoes, continues to be a significant health challenge, especially due to increasing treatment resistance.
In 2021, there were 247 million malaria cases globally, with 619,000 fatalities, primarily in Africa, according to WHO data. The continent bears the brunt of the disease, with 95 percent of cases and 96 percent of deaths occurring there.
Benin’s receipt of the RTS,S vaccine marks a crucial step in the ongoing battle against malaria. This vaccination program is not just a health initiative; it represents hope for thousands of families and the potential for a healthier future for the country’s children. As Benin embarks on this vaccination campaign, it stands as a testament to the global efforts to combat one of the deadliest diseases known to humanity.
