Long road to ending malaria

A health worker at the Amukura Health Centre in Busia, Kenya, collecting a blood sample from a young boy to screen for malaria parasites as part of a monthly monitoring programme in November 2022. After years of delay, millions of malaria vaccines are being supplied to children in Africa. Tens of thousands died waiting. — ©2024 The New York Times Company

NURSES in countries from Sierra Leone to Cameroon are packing a new vaccine to tote to villages for immunisation clinics: a shot to protect against malaria, one of the deadliest diseases for children.

Babies and toddlers in eight countries in the region recently started to get the vaccine as part of their routine childhood shots. Seven other African countries are eagerly awaiting its arrival.