One of the communities piloting World’s First Malaria Vaccine has reported zero malaria mortality since commencement of the exercise.
The Biakoye District in Ghana’s newly created Oti region recorded malaria free death between 2021 health care year and first quarter of 2022.
A Health Director in the Oti region told journalists during media engagement on World Malaria Day last Monday.
According to the Biakoye District Health Director, Ghana is on track of achieving low malaria mortality by the year 2030.
Miss Rita Ama Wurapa pointed out that her district and the country as whole have gone far as far as malaria prevention is concerned.
She said the Government of Ghana through its Ministry of Health have put adequate interventions in place in fighting the killer disease.
The health director disclosed the administration of the global RTS,S/ ASO1 Vaccine has contributed significantly to fighting malaria in Ghana.
She described as a privilege for her district to be part of the piloting exercise in the country.
Miss Wurapa disclosed her district has covered the all four stages of immunization recommended under the vaccine.
She said over 9,524 children under five years have so far received full dose of the vaccine(RTS,S 1,2,3 and 4).
The Director confessed that malaria complications and related deaths in under five years children has declined considerably since the pilot exercise.
Miss Rita Wurapa expressed hope that authorities with intensify efforts to sustain gains and improve upon it.
The District Health Information Officer in charge of the RTS,S piloting described the exercise a “successful”
Kadri Chremisu said people at the beginning were reluctant to embrace the exercise due to public misconceptions of the efficacy of the vaccine.
Read also: Over 1 million children in Africa receive first World malaria vaccine
“The exercise initially was a challenge. Many at first doubted the efficacy of the vaccine. Others were very skeptical about a possible future side effects on their children”, Kadri Chremisu told Africa Express Online Editor-in-chief.
She said management of the district intensified education and eventually won the confidence of the populace.
The health information officer was glad the vaccination will soon be launched in all districts in Ghana.
Kadri Chremisu urged parents who have moved from the district to complete the form their children to ensure total efficacy of the vaccine.
