POUPANÇA NO MINUTO
CLASSIFICADOS AUTO
Three more African countries launch malaria vaccine campaign
Three more African countries -- Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone -- have started vaccinating millions of children against malaria, in a continent that accounts for the vast majority of deaths from the disease, the WHO and UNICEF said Tuesday.
© Reuters
Mundo África
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa accounts for about 94% of malaria cases worldwide and 95% of deaths from the mosquito-borne disease, most of them children.
Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone thus join other African countries that already offer the vaccine as part of their childhood immunization programs, the UN agencies said in a statement.
Since 2019, more than two million children have been vaccinated in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi during a pilot phase of the program, which has led to a significant reduction in severe malaria cases and hospital admissions.
"With the new safe and effective malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease," said Dr. Austin Demby, Sierra Leone's minister of health, quoted in the statement.
"Combined with insecticide-treated mosquito nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection," he added.
The vaccine is to be administered in a four-dose regimen. Benin has received 215,900 doses, while Liberia expects 45,000 children to benefit from an initial 112,000 doses. Sierra Leone has 550,000 doses.
Two vaccines — RTS,S and R21 — have been recommended by the WHO and hailed as a breakthrough in child health and the fight against malaria.
According to the WHO, the pilot program in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi has led to a drastic reduction in malaria cases, a 13% reduction in overall child mortality and a significant drop in hospitalizations.
Read Also: Mozambique reduces malaria deaths in 2023 and starts vaccination in June (Portuguese version)
Descarregue a nossa App gratuita.
Oitavo ano consecutivo Escolha do Consumidor para Imprensa Online e eleito o produto do ano 2024.
* Estudo da e Netsonda, nov. e dez. 2023 produtodoano- pt.com
Recomendados para si
Classificados Auto
Leia Também
Últimas Notícias
Mais lidas
- Última hora
- Dia
- Semana
-
1
-
2
-
3
lifestyle Signos
Os cinco signos mais estranhos do zodíaco. Conhece alguém da lista?
-
4
fama José Castelo Branco e Betty Grafstein
Pedro Pico promete 30.000€ a Castelo Branco se Betty vender o palacete
-
5
lifestyle Exercício físico
Para perder a gordura na barriga, faça estes exercício de manhã
-
6
lifestyle Receitas
Esta receita (fácil) de pataniscas saudáveis é sucesso garantido
-
7
-
8
desporto Arábia Saudita
O gesto de Cristiano Ronaldo após penálti e que está a gerar polémica
-
9
-
10
