'Close to 400,000 children' have received new malaria vaccine in Kenya

World

Published: 2023-03-08 13:15

Last Updated: 2024-04-17 19:38


'Close to 400,000 children' have received new malaria vaccine in Kenya
'Close to 400,000 children' have received new malaria vaccine in Kenya

Kenya expands the use of the world's first malaria vaccine in the lake-endemic region where malaria kills many children under five.

In 2021 the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended the RTSS malaria vaccine for broader use after successful piloting in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi that started in 2019.

"Within these areas, there has been a substantial reduction in deadly severe malaria, a drop in child hospitalizations, and a reduction in child deaths" says Dr. Patrick Amoth, the acting Director General for Health at the kenyan Ministry of Health.