Togo to Roll Out Malaria Vaccine for Young Children Starting September

Health

Thursday, 28 August 2025 08:49

Togo to Roll Out Malaria Vaccine for Young Children Starting September

(Togo First) - Togo will introduce the R21 malaria vaccine into its public health system on September 1, 2025. The announcement was made during an awareness meeting held on August 26 in Lomé by the Ministry of Health and Hygiene's immunization division.

The meeting brought together policymakers, parents, community leaders, educators, and media professionals from the Greater Lomé area. The goal was to ensure community understanding and acceptance of the vaccine's integration into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), especially after some public reluctance was observed during COVID-19 campaigns.

Starting September 1, children five months and older will systematically receive the vaccine at health facilities. The discussions focused on the vaccination schedule, implementation strategies, and the role of stakeholders in mobilization.

"To protect children, the government has decided to introduce the malaria vaccine starting September 1. Children five months of age will be the first to receive it in our health facilities," said Gnassounou-Akpa, head of the ministry's immunization division. "We urge parents to understand that this vaccine is safe and effective in reducing simple and severe cases of malaria in children."

The protocol calls for four doses: the first at five months, the second at six months, the third at seven months, and the final dose at 15 months. This vaccination is part of a broader set of ongoing prevention measures, which includes the use of treated mosquito nets, seasonal chemoprevention, and intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women.

Togo is receiving support from the Global Alliance for Vaccines (Gavi) for the vaccine's deployment. Gavi's CEO, Sania Nishtar, recently met with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé on the sidelines of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).

Esaïe Edoh

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