Govt targets 1.1mln infants for new malaria vaccine
The anti-malaria vaccination campaign commenced in Apac district in northern Uganda, a region believed to have the highest mosquito bite rates in the world
KAMPALA, April 4, 2025 – The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health [MOH], plans to vaccinate at least 1.1 million babies in the country’s largest-ever malaria vaccination campaign. The newly approved anti-malaria vaccine is being administered to infants as part of this initiative.
In collaboration with Global Health Partners, the MOH launched the campaign to immunise babies under the age of two against malaria, which remains the leading cause of illness and death among children in the Sub-Saharan region.
The anti-malaria vaccination campaign commenced in Apac district in northern Uganda, a region believed to have the highest mosquito bite rates in the world. Healthcare workers are expected to administer the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in four doses at 6, 7, 8, and 18 months, targeting children in 105 high and moderate transmission districts.
According to data from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization [WHO] in 2022, malaria is responsible for at least 40 per cent of all outpatient visits, 25 per cent of hospital admissions, and 14 per cent of all hospital deaths in Uganda. WHO ranks Uganda among the top five African countries with the highest malaria burden, alongside Mozambique, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
During the launch of the vaccination campaign, the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, highlighted the vaccine’s potential to prevent at least 800 cases of severe malaria daily, thereby easing the financial burden on families. “I urge all parents and caregivers to ensure that children aged 6 to 18 months receive the malaria vaccine at the nearest health facility. Completing all four doses is essential for maximum protection,” she stated.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, WHO, PATH, and CHAI are among the key agencies supporting the vaccination campaign, particularly in areas of procurement and distribution, to ensure the integration of the immunisation programme into the country’s routine healthcare system.
Dr Sania Nishtar, Chief Executive of Gavi, emphasised the importance of continued financial support. “The malaria vaccine, proven safe and effective, saves lives and prevents hospitalisations. Without sustained financial backing, these life-saving efforts could falter, leaving millions of children vulnerable,” she said.
Dr Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative in Uganda, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to vaccine procurement and community awareness campaigns, stressing the importance of combining the vaccine with existing malaria prevention measures for a greater impact.
The Ministry of Health has distributed at least 2.278 million vaccine doses across the targeted districts, with intensified community mobilisation efforts, engagement with local leaders, and training for healthcare workers to ensure efficient vaccine administration.
Overseen by WHO, the new malaria vaccine has already been administered in other African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, demonstrating a 13 per cent reduction in all-cause mortality among children.
https://thecooperator.news/tayebwa-pledges-more-funds-for-malaria-fight/
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