Kourweogo: The Secretary General of Kourweogo province, Harouna Kombassere, chaired an advocacy workshop recently in Bousse to explain strategies for extending the R21 malaria vaccine and to request the support of community leaders for mobilization efforts.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the meeting, held on September 9, 2025, in Bousse, gathered health authorities from the Bousse district, directors and heads of departments, traditional chiefs, and association leaders to discuss the vaccine's extension. Dr. Adeline Dabire/Salou, the chief physician of the Bousse health district, highlighted that malaria remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Burkina Faso, especially among children under five. In Kourweogo, the disease impacts schooling, productivity, and life expectancy.
Dr. Dabire/Salou noted that since August 2025, Burkina Faso has integrated the R21 vaccine into its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), alongside other preventive measures like mosquito nets, seasonal chemoprevention, and indoor spraying. She warned that the new vaccine's introduction could face challenges, such as combating rumors and misinformation, which might cause reluctance or refusal to vaccinate. The security situation also poses a major challenge for implementation.
District officials are urging political, administrative, customary, religious leaders, and local organizations to mobilize collectively. These leaders are expected to act as awareness advocates to build trust and encourage parents to vaccinate their children.
Moussa Zongo, head of the district's expanded vaccination program, provided insights into the vaccine's administration strategy. The R21 vaccine is in liquid form, packaged in a 1 ml bottle, offering two doses of 0.5 ml each. Without preservatives, an opened bottle must be used within 6 hours. The target group for the vaccine includes children aged 0 to 23 months, following a four-dose schedule: three primary doses at a minimum interval of four weeks, and a booster dose eight months after the third dose. There are no contraindications except for proven hypersensitivity, and vaccination should be postponed if the child is ill.
Harouna Kombassere emphasized that the malaria vaccine's introduction into the routine vaccination program is a significant innovation, enhancing other preventive measures. Participants at the workshop called for active engagement to dispel doubts, reassure parents, and promote widespread vaccine uptake.