Malaria Vaccine
Panacea, Reigniting Hope
Bashar Umar, the first child to be vaccinated in Nigeria during the initial Malaria vaccine rollout campaign in Kebbi state, sits cradled in the lap of his 35-year-old mother Nafisa Muhammadu.
Nafisa arrived sharp at 7:30am marking attendance at the rollout ceremony even though the event was to commence only by 10:00am. Her determination to prioritise the health and wellbeing of her children sets a very fine example for her people.
She waits patiently in the queue, for the event to reach the final phase where her child gets the immunization dose against the deadly Malaria virus. This young mother has witnessed first-hand how Malaria has destroyed entire households.
Families in the past have spent desperate money, running into thousands, in order to gain access to malaria medication, putting all other domestic commitments on the back burner.
Recently mobilized by a Volunteer Community Mobiliser (VCM) at her doorstep, just 12 hours prior to the flag-off, she didn’t hesitate to get permission from her husband Umar who welcomed the idea.
“Knowing that Bashar will grow up to a life free from Malaria sickness was all I thought of overnight, I have seen first-hand how his other brothers and sisters suffer when they fall sick to Malaria”.
A Wish to be Heard
She narrates her fantasy of seeing all her children vaccinated.
Family synergy for vaccine acceptance
Asked whether her husband was aware and approved that she would be going for the vaccination drive, Nafisa responds with some pride in her voice. “After the Volunteer Community Mobiliser (VCM) left, I waited for my husband to return, then I informed him on the new development, and he was so excited about it that he immediately gave me transport to go for it tomorrow”.
When asked why he accepted, Umar Bello (Bashar’s father) said “Malaria has been the major health concern in this house and we have battled with it for years. All of my 5 children have fallen sick before. This to me is a prayer answered, knowing that going forward my children will not be sick due to Malaria. The money we spend annually for Malaria can then be used for other important things. Even before now all my children have been vaccinated against other diseases like Polio etc. but this to us is the biggest news”.
“When I was told the vaccine is for infants alone, I felt sad because my 3 other children will not get, but I am hopeful it will reach the rest with time”.
Advocacy call to others
After her return from the vaccination, Nafisa informed that she went house to house to inform her neighbours that this new vaccine has been introduced, and they should endeavor to take their children to get vaccinated.
Bad news, good news …
The story however, has not been the same for others.
Hadiza Murtala (42 years old) the mother of 7, has already lost a child to Malaria. She lives in constant fear for the lives of her other children.
But hope arrived at the much-needed hour. She expressed her joy when she was informed by a VCM that there is Malaria Vaccine now available in the Public Health Center, just a few meters away from their house.
“In 2011, I lost a child who was about two years old then, to Malaria, she was sick and when I took her to the hospital it was already too late and she succumbed to the disease”.
I was afraid for my last child Asiya, who has been sick from Malaria for some days now, worried I am losing her like I did before, it is a very sad thing to watch your own child die helplessly.
When the VCM came to inform me that there is provision of the Malaria Vaccine, I simply couldn’t believe my ears because it felt like a dream, a rescue that came at the right time. Immediately I went to the center and I was told to return the following day because the vaccines are being transported on the day of the flag off. Now I am glad that she has taken the vaccine but I wish all my children could get this vaccine, so I can at least have some peace of mind”
The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) has provided 3 million vaccines for Nigerian Children where the first rollout took place in Kebbi and Bayelsa State in Nigeria.
The vaccines are now currently available to the children from 5 -11 months old for the rollout.
The Sarkin Gabas of Gwandu Alhaji, Muhammad Zayyana Haruna Rasheed, during a courtesy visit by the UNICEF health officials’ team, expressed his optimism and satisfaction on the vaccine roll out. He informed the members of his willing commitment to ensure that all traditional leaders in the Wards and district areas will give their maximum support and collaboration to ensure the success of this campaign.
Despite the limited availability of vaccines, more lives are being impacted with this campaign as family’s troop in thousands to get immunisation for their children.
The Malaria Vaccine has been included as part of routine immunization to ensure maximum reach. The success of this campaign is shared by the UNICEF and the local community members who are working tirelessly to secure the future of these helpless children from the killer Malaria.
