Nigeria has not applied for the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, as the second application window for the vaccine has closed, the World Health Organization (WHO) has learned. In 2021, the WHO recommended the widespread use of the RTS,S/AS01 (RTS,S) malaria vaccine among children in sub‑Saharan Africa and other regions with moderate to high transmission of *Plasmodium falciparum*, the deadliest malaria parasite globally and the most prevalent in Africa. Nigeria (31.3 %), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.6 %), the United Republic of Tanzania (4.1 %) and Niger (3.9 %) together account for just over half of all malaria deaths worldwide.
In February, Health Minister Dr Osagie Ehanire told the Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee on Primary Health Care Development Delivery Review Meeting in Abuja that Nigeria would soon begin a malaria vaccine trial. He said, “We shall very soon be trying the malaria vaccine; we have applied to receive the malaria vaccine, and that will also be introduced, as well as the application and the permit to be given the Human Papillomavirus vaccine.” However, in response to an email enquiry, Gavi— the alliance working to increase access to immunisation in low‑income countries—confirmed that Nigeria did not submit an application for the vaccine.
Gavi opened its first application window for support in July 2022, which covered Kenya, Ghana and Malawi. A second window, open to all other countries, was announced at the end of 2022 with a deadline of 17 January 2023. According to Gavi’s Evan O’Connell, “Nigeria did not submit an application in this window—however, a third window of applications for support is now open, and we understand Nigeria may submit an application for the malaria vaccine through this window, which closes on 18 April.” Applications submitted during the second window are currently being reviewed by Gavi’s Independent Review Committee, chaired by Dr Rose Leke of Cameroon. The committee’s email explained that, “Shortly after the IRC’s decision, successful applicants will be allocated vaccine doses based on a number of criteria. The precise date of the roll‑out will depend on the country’s readiness, as introducing any new vaccine takes time, planning, training and resources, but countries allocated doses in this round could potentially start administering the vaccine later this year.”
The Health Minister could not be reached for comment; he did not answer calls and had not responded to a text message sent to him at the time of filing this report.
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