Lira city health workers to launch malaria vaccination among children in April

11 December 2024, 8:24 pm

By Denish Ongora

Lira

Health workers in Lira city are preparing to launch a malaria vaccination campaign for children in April next year.

Today, officials from the Ministry of Health visited Lira city to brief health workers on the upcoming vaccination exercise.

Children under five years old will receive the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in four phases: at six, seven, eight, and 18 months.

The vaccine specifically targets the Plasmodium falciparum strain of malaria to help reduce the severity of the disease in infected individuals.

Kajjoba Edward, the Ministry of Health Social Behavior Change Communication Officer, explained that the vaccine focuses on this particular strain, significantly lowering malaria virulence among patients.

Lira City Medical Officer, Dr. Bernard Otucu, said that malaria remains the leading cause of illness at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, with children under five being the most vulnerable group affected by the disease.

Lira City Deputy Mayor, Rebecca Alwedo Ogole, emphasised that malaria is particularly fatal among children because its symptoms often go unnoticed in the early stages.