Nigeria has taken a major step in its battle against malaria by receiving one million doses of the highly anticipated R21 malaria vaccine from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
However, gynecologists have cautioned that it is not medically advisable for pregnant women and nursing mothers to receive the vaccine.
Experts in maternal health explained that clinical trials assessing the vaccine’s efficacy and safety did not include pregnant or lactating women, which is why they are excluded from vaccination. In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, they emphasized that while the vaccine is safe for non-pregnant women and can help reduce the risk of malaria during pregnancy if administered beforehand, it is not yet approved for those currently pregnant or nursing.
On Thursday, Nigeria received these vaccine doses as part of efforts to significantly reduce malaria incidence and related fatalities. The United Nations Children’s Fund reports that Nigeria bears the highest burden of malaria globally, accounting for 27 percent of cases and 31 percent of deaths. The 2023 World Malaria Report indicated approximately 200,000 malaria-related deaths, with children under five and pregnant women being the most affected groups. In 2021, the malaria prevalence rate for children aged six to 59 months was recorded at 22 percent.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, malaria contributes to 11 percent of maternal deaths and 70.5 percent of pregnancy-related morbidity in Nigeria. The World Health Organization prequalified the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in December 2023 and later recommended its use for children following advice from its advisory groups.
At the handover ceremony in Abuja, Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, explained that the vaccine will be administered to children aged five to 15 months as part of routine immunizations, requiring four doses at specific intervals. The plan includes expanding the vaccination to 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with further phases targeting the remaining states by 2025.
In an exclusive interview, Professor Aniekan Abasiattai from the University of Uyo highlighted that while the malaria vaccine can reduce infection rates in women planning to conceive, it is not yet proven safe for those who are pregnant. He noted that ethical concerns prevent trials on pregnant women and indicated that the vaccine remains experimental for this group. He emphasized the importance of conducting thorough trials to establish safety before any recommendations for use during pregnancy can be made.
Professor Chris Aimakhu, Second Vice President of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, reiterated that until the vaccine is shown to be safe for pregnant women, it will not be administered to them. He acknowledged that if the vaccine is confirmed safe, it could significantly lower maternal mortality rates due to malaria. In the meantime, he advised pregnant women to continue using preventive measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets.
