By Grace Q. Bryant
The Ministry of Health has disclosed that six countries are to benefit from the 112,000 doses of new Malaria vaccines in Liberia.
Those countries targeted are Grand Kru, Grand Gedeh, Maryland, Sonie, River Gee and River Cess, while the remaining nine counties will be covered in phase two; which is expected to begin in January 2025.
According to the Minister of Health, Louise Kpoto , the process will start on April 25 and will be administered at ages five, six, seven, and 15 months to children younger than two years of age in Liberia.
Addressing the plenary yesterday, Minister Kpoto said the Ministry is partnering with Vaccine Alliance and UNICF, adding that Liberia’s application to introduce the vaccine into its routine vaccination program was accepted on January 17, 2023 and that the vaccines arrived in the country in January this year.
Minister Kpoto and team visitation was based on a communication by the Chairperson on the House’s Committee on Health requesting the plenary to invite the Health Minister and others on the 112,000 doses of new Malaria vaccines.
The communication added, “Our national routine vaccination schedule incorporates the guidelines provided by Debbie, including instructions for those eligible and guardians on providing late vaccination. If a child misses the vaccine and has turned 12 months, they will receive the vaccine as part of the routine vaccination schedule.”
According to her, their readiness assessment stands at 80% across different areas, and pre-testing started on April 3.
She revealed, “We plan to close the exercise on April 8 and use feedback to improve our messaging and ensure vaccine uptake. With support from our partners, pre-testing has started in three counties.”
She disclosed that the country received 112,000 doses, while the application qualified to receive 230,000 doses, pointing out, “This means we have a balance of 118,000 doses that should be available in the country.”
She stated further that the remaining doses are currently at the National Vaccine School in Montserrado County, on the grounds of JFK Hospital compound.
“We have moved 88,780 doses to the region, while the rest is expected to arrive in July. We are grateful for the partnerships and strong commitment that have made this progress possible. We would like to acknowledge our traditional and extended partners who are working with the health sector to achieve this goal,” she stressed.
