Nigeria has received its first shipment of malaria vaccines of over 800,000 doses from Gavi the Vaccine Alliance. An additional 140,000 doses are expected in the coming months following the initial plan of securing one million doses in the first phase.

Receiving the vaccines in Abuja, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the distribution of the vaccine would commence from Bayelsa and Kebbi states, where the burden of malaria is high.

Pate added that the vaccines would be administered to the vulnerable population – children and pregnant women – to improve their health outcomes.

The Minister urged parents to avail their children of the opportunity to take the vaccines, and called on the media to help disseminate the right information about its safety.

Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, announced that a task force would be established to oversee the rollout; adding that the specific dates and locations for administration of the vaccine would be communicated in due course.

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