[Photo: KBC]
The Ministry of Health says Kenya has strengthened the fight against malaria, by scaling up the use of the new vaccine in additional 25 sub-counties in the Western region.
According to the Ministry, the move will benefit more children at risk of the deadly disease.
“We are thrilled to announce today that more children in Kenya will be able to benefit from the life-saving protection offered by the world’s first malaria vaccine,” said Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha Wafula.
“Over the past three years, we’ve seen a dramatic reduction in the number of malaria cases and hospitalizations from malaria in areas where the vaccine has been administered. We are excited to now be able to offer this additional malaria tool to more of our children,” she further said.
The expansion follows the Kenya National Immunization Technical Advisory Group and World Health Organization recommendation, for broader use of the vaccine among children in sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions with moderate to high malaria transmission.
Kenya is one of three countries alongside Ghana and Malawi, where the malaria vaccine is already in use since 2019.
Meanwhile, Head of the National Vaccines and Immunization Program Lucy Mecca says they will expand the immunization program across the country.
“In the coming years, our objective is to continue to expand malaria vaccination to other parts of the country, as more supplies of the vaccine become available,” she said.
She added that since the malaria vaccine was introduced in Kenya, the country has recorded a substantial drop in children being hospitalized and reductions in child deaths.
The first dose of the vaccine is given from six months of age and the fourth dose at 2 years of age.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
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