Nigeria has taken a major step in its fight against malaria with the arrival of one million doses of the highly anticipated R21 malaria vaccine, courtesy of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. However, health experts have cautioned that the vaccine is not yet advisable for pregnant and lactating women due to a lack of clinical trials involving these groups.
Gynaecologists, in interviews explained that while the vaccine is safe for non-pregnant women and can help reduce the risk of malaria if administered before conception, it has not been proven safe for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
The country’s reception of the malaria vaccine marks a crucial effort to reduce the high incidence of malaria-related diseases and deaths. According to UNICEF, Nigeria bears the highest burden of malaria globally, accounting for 27% of global cases and 31% of malaria-related deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2023 alone, Nigeria recorded 200,000 malaria-related deaths.
The newly received R21 vaccine, which was prequalified by the WHO in December 2023, will initially be administered to children aged five to 15 months, with each child requiring four doses to ensure full protection. The vaccine rollout will begin in select states before being expanded nationwide by 2025.
Despite the introduction of this vaccine, pregnant women remain vulnerable. Malaria contributes to 11% of maternal deaths and causes complications in over 70% of pregnancies in Nigeria. Health experts continue to advocate for preventive measures such as using insecticide-treated mosquito nets until the vaccine is deemed safe for pregnant women.
Professors of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, including Aniekan Abasiattai of the University of Uyo and Chris Aimakhu of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, emphasized that while the vaccine holds promise, it will not be administered to pregnant women until further trials confirm its safety.
Aimakhu added that malaria is a leading cause of anaemia and other complications during pregnancy, and the vaccine could significantly reduce maternal mortality if proven safe for use in expectant mothers. Until then, the focus remains on preventive anti-malaria drugs during antenatal care.
