Berlin (d.de) – In the global battle against malaria Germany is supporting a World Health Organization initiative to vaccinate children in several African countries against the disease. “This is a ray of light which millions of people have long waited for,” explained Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze at the WHO’s announcement of the new vaccination campaign. “Alongside mosquito nets, insecticides and drugs, the vaccine now gives humanity an extra tool to help fight this deadly disease,” she said, stressing that this was an important step towards improving global justice. Schulze explained that Germany would help its partners in Africa expand domestic vaccine production so that this first step can be followed by many more.
In a statement, the Development Ministry said it was working to ensure that all people have access to the new vaccines. It is supporting the global Gavi vaccine alliance in efforts to get vaccines to countries where they are most urgently needed. Gavi funds vaccines in countries with low incomes and helps healthcare systems to set up national vaccine programmes. In the first stage, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Niger, Liberia and Burkina Faso are receiving 2 million doses of vaccines.