Apac, Uganda – Today, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and alliance partners, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), PATH and CHAI rolled out a malaria vaccination campaign in Apac District, northern Uganda. This makes Uganda the 19th country in Africa to introduce the malaria vaccine into routine immunisation and it is the largest vaccine rollout to date in terms of target districts and population.
The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, administered in four doses at 6, 7, 8, and 18 months, will initially target 1.1 million children under two years in 105 high and moderate transmission districts across Uganda, with plans to expand nationwide.
Apac District is reported to have the highest number of mosquito bites per person globally (over 1500 bites per person annually).
Malaria is the leading cause of illness and death among young children in Uganda, responsible for up to 40% of all outpatient visits, 25% of hospital admissions and 14% of all hospital deaths, according 2022 data from WHO. In 2023, Uganda was among the top five African countries with the highest malaria burden, alongside Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.
The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero said: “The introduction of the vaccine marks a significant milestone in our fight against Malaria. It is expected to prevent at least 800 cases of severe Malaria among children every day and ease the financial burden on families, saving them approximately UGX 15,000 per case that would have been spent on treating severe Malaria. I urge all parents and caregivers to ensure that children aged 6 to 18 months receive the Malaria vaccine at the nearest health facility. For the best protection, it is essential that the children complete all four doses on schedule.”
Gavi coordinates the global malaria vaccination program, providing essential financial support for the procurement, transport, and rollout of doses. To date, Gavi has supported 18 African countries in integrating the malaria vaccine into routine immunization programs. By collaborating with countries and partners, Gavi ensures the delivery of malaria vaccines as part of a comprehensive malaria control strategy.
Gavi’s model relies on co-financing where countries contribute to the cost of their own vaccines, paying progressively more as their income rises to the point where they fully pay for their own programmes. Future support for its global malaria programme is dependent on Gavi securing sufficient funds for its next five-year strategic period starting 2026 however, and any shortfall in funding will result in programmes being cut back, leading to preventable deaths and a more threat to global health security.
Commenting on the historic rollout, Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO Gavi said: “With one of the highest malaria incidence rates globally, Uganda faces a relentless battle against this deadly disease that has devastated families and communities for far too long. The malaria vaccine, proven safe and effective, saves lives and prevents hospitalisations. However, without sustained financial support, these life-saving efforts could falter, leaving millions of children vulnerable and undermining the progress made so far. Continued funding is crucial to sustain and expand these efforts, ensuring that more children are protected, and more countries benefit from this vital tool.”
UNICEF, responsible for the procurement and air freighting of the vaccines and raising awareness within the community to enhance demand for vaccines, reaffirmed its commitment to child health and immunisation efforts in Uganda.
“UNICEF is proud to support Uganda’s historic rollout of the malaria vaccine, which represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to protect children from this deadly disease. This vaccine must be combined with existing preventive measures and this combination of preventive measures will create a powerful shield against malaria. We urge all parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive all four doses of this life-saving vaccine as part of Uganda’s routine immunization services,” said Dr Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative to Uganda.
In preparing for the rollout of the malaria vaccination campaign, the Ministry of Health supported by partners has distributed 2.278 million doses of malaria vaccines to the 105 districts with high and moderate transmission across Uganda. The Ministry has also been conducting intensified community mobilisation and awareness campaigns, which include engaging Members of Parliament, cultural leaders and religious leaders at the community level as well as conducting door-to-door campaigns. Other preparatory activities included developing vaccine implementation plans, conducting health worker training and ensuring sufficient cold chain capacity across districts.
WHO coordinated the pilot evaluation of the first malaria vaccine, RTS, S/AS01, which was co-funded by Gavi and other partners. Through a multi-year programme in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi, which protected millions of children, the pilot generated evidence that the introduction of the vaccine resulted in a 13% reduction in all-cause mortality among children. This led to the WHO’s recommendation and prequalification of the two safe and effective malaria vaccines available today. WHO continues to support countries by providing guidance, sharing experiences, and offering technical assistance to ensure successful implementation.
“Today marks a historic turning point in Uganda’s fight against malaria. By integrating the malaria vaccine into routine immunization, Uganda is taking a bold step to protect its children, save lives, and secure a healthier future. This vaccine is a game-changer, and together, we must ensure that every child receives it,” said Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative to Uganda.
Note to editors:
Why children, not adults? Children under the age of 5 are at the greatest risk of dying from malaria and account for more than 75% of the global deaths from the disease. The malaria vaccine in Uganda, as in the other 18 countries supported by Gavi, will be integrated into routine immunisation services to protect young children who are most vulnerable to the disease. Unlike adults, young children have not had the opportunity to develop partial immunity through years of exposure, making them particularly at risk. In 2023 alone, malaria caused 597,000 deaths globally, and 432,000 child deaths in Africa – highlighting the urgent need to protect our youngest and most vulnerable. Malaria vaccine safety and effectiveness: Both the RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M vaccines are prequalified and recommended by WHO to prevent malaria in children and are safe and effective. In phase 3 clinical trials, both vaccines reduced malaria cases by more than half during the first year after vaccination, a period when children are at high risk of illness and death. A fourth dose given in the second year of life prolonged protection. Both vaccines reduce malaria cases by 75% when given seasonally in areas of highly seasonal transmission.The vaccines target P. falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite globally and the most prevalent in Africa. More about the vaccine here: https://www.who.int/newsroom/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-on-rts-s-malaria-vaccinee Of the 18 countries that have already rolled out the malaria vaccine with Gavi support, 14 introduced the vaccine in 2024, including Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Benin, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, South Sudan, Mozambique, Central African Republic, Niger, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Nigeria and Burundi. The other three – Ghana, Kenya and Malawi – introduced the first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, in 2019 during the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP) and have since scaled up routine provision of the vaccine.In addition to Burundi (rolled out in March) and Uganda, six to eight countries, including Mali, Ethiopia and Guinea, plan to roll out the vaccine in 2025.
