The first ever Malaria vaccine exercise has been launched in the country, targeting to immunize over 250 thousand children under the age of five.
The national launch of the malaria vaccine took place in Luapula Province, it being one of the provinces with high a prevalence rate of malaria.
Minister of Health Elijah Muchima says the launch of the malaria vaccine will add to other interventions aimed at ending malaria in the country.
The Minister of Health who was represented by Luapula Province Minister Nason Musonda states that the malaria vaccine is safe and that it will be administered to children below the age of 5 years.
Dr. Muchima points out that the malaria vaccine will be rolled out in 83 districts across the country.
“This vaccine will be for those districts in the northern region where malaria incidences are still high,” states the Minister.
He has explained that the vaccine will be administered to children between 6 to 8 months old and later it will cater for those who are 11 months old.
“The malaria vaccine will now be part of the routine immunisation programme for the ministry of health and this will go a long way in helping end malaria in the country,” he says.
And UNICEF Chief of Health Akinafu Asfaw says the United Nations will continue to support the fight against malaria in the country.
Dr. Asfaw points out that the launch of the malaria vaccine is one way of ensuring that countries like Zambia eradicate malaria as a public health hazard.
He states that the vaccine has been proven to be effective if used together with other malaria interventions such as indoor residue spraying and the use of mosquito nets.
“The coming of the malaria vaccine does not mean that people should discard other malaria interventions which have been in place for a long time now,” he notes.
Dr. Asfaw reveals that malaria still remains one of the major causes of death especially among children hence the initiative to come up with the vaccine to help end malaria in countries like Zambia.
Meanwhile Luapula Chiefs Council Chairperson Chief Chisunka says all traditional leaders in the province will work with the Ministry of Health, to ensure an increase in the uptake of the vaccine.
Dr. Chief Chisunka says through their influence, traditional leaders will be able to explain the importance of the malaria vaccine to their subjects.
“We are all partners in the fight of not only malaria but other diseases which have continued to affect our people especially here in Luapula hence we shall work together to end malaria in Luapula,” he says.
The traditional leader has since commended government for coming up with the malaria vaccine saying it will help to save a lot of lives.
Am very sceptical about a lot of modern vaccines. They are a cash cow for pharmaceutical companies in the west.
And a lot of evidence points to them being used for very neferious purposes, including population control. I would never, ever have my child take this vaccine. Be warned all of you and do you own research. A lot of stuff often labelled “conspiracy theories” by the gatekeepers often turns out to be true.