Ivory Coast Strengthens Fight Against Malaria: Science, Vaccination, and Prevention in Action

Côte d’Ivoire has taken a significant step in its fight against malaria by becoming the first country to launch the new R21 malaria vaccine, marking a pivotal moment in malaria prevention efforts across Africa.

The vaccine, developed by Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India with the Matrix M adjuvant from Novavax, received prequalification from the World Health Organization in December 2023. The first doses were administered in Abidjan, the country’s largest city, as part of a rollout targeting 38 districts nationwide.

Health officials report that malaria continues to claim approximately four lives each day in Côte d’Ivoire, primarily affecting young children. Despite a decline in malaria-related mortality from 3,222 deaths in 2017 to 1,316 in 2020, the disease remains a major public health concern, accounting for the majority of hospital consultations in the country.

The government has received 656,600 doses of the R21 vaccine, which will initially be used to vaccinate 250,000 children across 16 regions. The Serum Institute of India has manufactured 25 million doses and plans to scale up production to 100 million doses annually, with the vaccine priced at under $4 per dose to ensure accessibility.

This initiative builds on existing malaria control strategies in Côte d’Ivoire, including seasonal chemoprevention programs in regions like Tengréla and community mobilization efforts in areas such as Boundiali. The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening interventions aimed at eliminating malaria by 2030 through the National Malaria Control Program.

Fifteen African countries are scheduled to introduce malaria vaccines in 2024 with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, aiming to reach 6.6 million children across 2024 and 2025. The R21 vaccine represents the second malaria vaccine to enter the market, following the RTS,S vaccine, and offers new hope in combating a disease that continues to disproportionately affect children under five across the African continent.