Khartoum: The Ministry of Health has declared plans to introduce the malaria vaccine across various states in Sudan. This follows its initial introduction in Al-Gadarif State and the Blue Nile Region, where a study’s first round revealed the determinants of demand for the vaccine.
According to Sudan News Agency, Ismail Al-Adani, Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), spoke at the opening session of a workshop organized by the General Administration of Primary Health Care. The workshop aimed to present the study’s results and recommendations regarding the malaria vaccine demand in Al-Gadarif State and the Blue Nile Region. Al-Adani highlighted that arrangements are underway to expand the vaccine introduction to additional states, leveraging the experiences from Al-Gadarif and Blue Nile.
Al-Adani emphasized the role of partnership and coordination between Immunization, the Health Promotion Department, and the National Malaria Control Program in boosting vaccine demand. He noted, “The collective mindset has yielded tangible results.”
Dr. Al-Fatih Malik, Advisor to the Middle East Network for Community Health (EMPHNET), remarked that past efforts have contributed to the study’s findings and recommendations, encouraging vaccine uptake in other states. He pointed out that the high incidence of malaria prompted the vaccine introduction, with Sudan being the tenth country to do so. The research conducted had seven specific objectives.
Todud Abdullah Al-Khidr, Director of Health Promotion, stated that the study would guide interventions and strategy development for the second round of vaccine introduction, which will cover the remaining states.