The World Health Organization (WHO) says the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine given provisional approval by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) still needs to undergo more trials.
The trials are to be recommended by WHO.
During a press conference at the UN House in Abuja on Tuesday, WHO Country Representative to Nigeria Dr Walter Mulombo emphasised the importance and efficacy of the RTSS vaccine, which has been embraced by countries such as Ghana and Kenya.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Malaria Day during Africa Vaccines Week and World Immunisation Week, Mulombo also emphasised the need for proper policy funding and education in the efforts to get Nigeria and Africa to zero malaria.
He noted that 96 percent of world deaths and 95 percent of world infections from malaria occurred in Africa, while Nigeria contributed to 79 percent of Africa’s unvaccinated children.