One year on: Malaria Vaccine rollout achieves groundbreaking impact across Africa

Africa Science News

By Henry Neondo

Just one year after the launch of routine malaria vaccinations in Africa, the continent is seeing remarkable results. According to data from GAVI and its partners, over 9.8 million doses of malaria vaccines have been administered in 17 endemic countries through its supported vaccination program, with a total of 12 million doses delivered since 2023.

Exceeding the initial goal of 15 countries, this swift rollout highlights the strong demand for this life-saving intervention and the extensive preparation by governments, health organizations, and funding partners.

In these 17 countries, around 5 million children—in areas that account for more than 70% of the global malaria burden—have been protected. The vaccine’s impact is emerging as a significant game-changer in reducing malaria cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, underscoring its vital role in global health initiatives.

The success of earlier pilot programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, which vaccinated over 2 million children between 2019 and 2023, has been crucial in shaping national rollouts. These pilots showed notable health benefits, including a 13% reduction in overall child mortality and significant decreases in hospitalizations and malaria-related illnesses.

Now, early findings from countries like Cameroon, where the vaccine was integrated into routine immunizations in January 2024, reveal its effects in high-burden areas. Data from Cameroon’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) indicates a 17% drop in all-cause hospital visits for children under five in vaccinated districts, a 60% decrease in under-five deaths in many districts administering the vaccine, and a 57% reduction in malaria-related deaths among children under five.

These positive results are corroborated by feedback gathered from healthcare workers and families who are observing a decrease in malaria cases and lower healthcare-associated expenditures.

Real Stories: Protecting Families and Communities

Malaria vaccines have been a blessing for families like that of Daniel and Daniella-motherhood-at-long-last 18 months old twins and the first children vaccinated in Cameroon.

Ever since they received their first shot a year ago, followed by 2 additional doses, the twins have not had malaria; “My twins are lucky,” their mother said. “Many people in my family, including myself, have suffered from malaria in the past, and treating it would cost us an errand of money.”

Tailored Rollouts in High-Burden Areas

Countries customize strategies to ensure high-risk populations receive the vaccine. For instance, Nigeria-the world’s malaria epicenter-together with other high-prevalence states such as Kebbi and Bayelsa, has started a roll out to deliver more than 800,000 doses in the first phase. In Sudan and DRC, amid conflict, malaria vaccines have been integrated into wider health response plans.

Chad is currently running a unique triple vaccination program against malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea, aimed at ensuring vaccination delivery using the least number of resources.

Comprehensive Malaria Prevention Strategies

The impact of the malaria vaccine can moreover be amplified when used in conjunction with other preventive strategies such as insecticide treated nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention for areas with high transmission. The combination of these strategies has the potential to prevent over 90 percent of malaria cases.

Scaling Up: The Future of Malaria Vaccination

The momentum is set to continue, with plans to expand the malaria vaccination program to 6–8 new countries in 2025, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mali, and Burundi. By the end of 2025, Gavi anticipates protecting an additional 13 million children with four doses of the vaccine.

Looking further ahead, Gavi notes that it aims to help countries protect 50 million children by 2030, contingent on a successful replenishment of funds. A pivotal event co-hosted by Gavi, the European Union, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in March 2025 will seek to raise $9 billion to support this mission.

The malaria vaccine rollout has already shown its transformative potential in reducing the burden of malaria across Africa. With continued investment and collaboration, this program could save millions of lives, alleviate the strain on healthcare systems, and bring the world closer to eradicating one of its deadliest diseases.

Share This Article