Introduction of malaria vaccine in Togo

Togo officially incorporated the R/21 Matrix malaria vaccine into its national expanded immunization program, effective September 1. This vaccine, prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO), is administered free of charge to children from 5 months of age and requires four doses up to the 15th month.

In addition to existing measures such as the free distribution of treated mosquito nets, chemoprevention for pregnant women, and rapid diagnostic tests, this vaccine aims to strengthen the fight against malaria, which in 2024 caused more than 2 million cases and 993 deaths in Togo, 70% of which were children under 5 years old.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, Kokou Wotobé, emphasized that this vaccine could save many lives and reduce the socio-economic impact of the disease. A launch ceremony will take place on September 4 in Sokodé, followed by a communication campaign to inform the population.

The introduction of this vaccine follows two years of successful pilot testing in countries such as Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana. Since 2024, twenty African countries have already integrated this vaccine into their health programs.