South SudanSouth Sudan receives first shipment of new vaccine Malaria vaccine A statement from the UN health agency on Friday said it was an important step in efforts to fight the disease that is the biggest killer of children in this African country.

over 645,000 doses R21 Malaria Vaccine The information obtained will be distributed to the 28 counties with the highest incidence of malaria.

In 2022, South Sudan had an estimated 2.8 million cases of malaria and 6,680 deaths. According to the World Health Organization, this malaria incidence rate is the highest in the region, with an estimated 7,630 cases and 18 people dying from the disease each day.

South Sudan’s Health Minister Yolanda Aweil Deng said the new vaccine, along with other preventive measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets and timely medical care, would help eliminate malaria.

Others too welcomed the development.

UNICEF South Sudan Representative Hamida Laseko said that “the active participation of governments and the preparation of health systems are crucial to successfully implementing the vaccination programme.”

Dr. Humphrey Karamagi, the World Health Organization’s representative to South Sudan, said adding this vaccine to routine immunization will “increase our ability to deliver comprehensive malaria prevention to those most at risk.”

R21 Vaccine It was the second malaria vaccine recommended by the WHO in 2023, after the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine which received WHO recommendation in 2021.

The R21 vaccine is considered a cheaper and more easily available option. Research shows it is more than 75 percent effective and protection lasts for at least a year with boosters.