Kebbi reports 50% reduction in Malaria cases 1yr after vaccine rollout

One year after the malaria vaccine was introduced in Kebbi State, health officials say the impact is already clear. Malaria cases across the state have dropped by 50 per cent, with vaccine coverage now at 85 per cent.

The Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHDA) confirmed the figures this week, linking the progress to the malaria vaccine rollout that began last year as part of Nigeria’s wider push to reduce malaria-related illness and deaths.

Speaking in Birnin Kebbi, the state’s Health Promotion and Education Officer, Alhaji Yusuf Umar Sawwa, said the agency moved quickly after the vaccine was introduced by the Federal Government.

“After the introduction of the malaria vaccine, we felt it is very important and as the state, we commended the Federal Government for bringing the vaccine to our people,” he said.

Community-driven awareness

Sawwa explained that the agency relied heavily on community structures to reach families, especially in rural areas. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, district heads, health workers and non-governmental organisations were all involved in spreading information about the vaccine.

“So, at the level of KSPHDA, we cannot go directly to various homes, so we passed the information through the traditional rulers, Emir of Gwandu, Emir Argungu, Emir Yauri and Emir of Zuru Emirate,” he said.

“We used different medium to pass out information and today, we are proud to say that we have recorded over 85 percentage coverage of malaria vaccine vaccination across the state.”

He added that parents are still bringing their children to health centres to complete their doses, showing growing confidence in the vaccine.

Malaria cases falling

According to Sawwa, assessments carried out in both rural and urban health facilities showed a sharp drop in malaria cases.

“Following our aggressive awareness, we have our record that the malaria cases, malaria infections have dropped by 50% because of the vaccination,” he said.

Health workers across the state are reporting similar trends.

At Takalau PHC in Birnin Kebbi, the officer in charge, Shuaibu Umar, said malaria cases have reduced significantly.

“In one month before, we do have 50 cases but now, the figure has reduced. Since the introduction of the vaccine, we do have 15-20 cases. I think, the vaccine is working because the cases of malaria patients here has reduced.”

This malaria fight in Nigeria

Planet Pulse Nigeria has followed the malaria and vaccine story over the past one year, and we reported that Nigeria began rolling out the malaria vaccine last year as part of national efforts to reduce one of the country’s deadliest diseases, especially among children.

Kebbi’s early results reflect growing optimism that the vaccine, combined with public awareness and primary healthcare support, could significantly change the malaria story.

We recall that the Minister of Health had promised to roll out the vaccines to more states earlier in 2025, and our ears are on the ground as we also monitor the improvements in other Nigerian states aside Kebbi and Bayelsa.