Uganda has launched a groundbreaking malaria vaccination campaign aimed at immunizing 1.1 million children under two years old in what is described as the country’s largest vaccine rollout to date. The initiative was officially launched in Apac district in northern Uganda, with the country’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja presiding over the event. This milestone marks a significant step in Uganda’s efforts to combat malaria, a disease that has long placed a heavy burden on the nation’s health system and socio-economic progress.
The malaria vaccination campaign seeks to provide the R21/Matrix-M injectable vaccine to babies between the ages of six and 18 months. The vaccine, which was pre-qualified and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021, has been hailed as a potential game-changer in malaria prevention. It has demonstrated its effectiveness in clinical trials, leading to reductions in child mortality rates and significant improvements in malaria prevention. The rollout in Uganda aims to cover 105 districts across the country, focusing on regions with high to moderate malaria transmission rates.
Prime Minister Nabbanja highlighted the importance of the initiative, describing it as a “bold step” in the fight against malaria. She emphasized that the disease has for too long robbed the future of Uganda’s children, drained the health system, and hindered the country’s socio-economic growth. The theme of the vaccination campaign, “Vaccinate Against Malaria and Other Preventable Diseases, Protect Your Child for Life,” underscores the long-term health benefits for Ugandan children. The initiative not only targets malaria but also seeks to address other preventable diseases that impact the health and well-being of the population.
The introduction of the malaria vaccine into Uganda’s routine immunization program is a significant achievement. It makes Uganda the 19th African country to include the malaria vaccine in its vaccination schedule. The WHO’s representative in Uganda, Kasonde Mwinga, expressed that Uganda’s decision to integrate the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization efforts represents a forward-thinking strategy to protect the nation’s children, reduce malaria-related deaths, and improve overall health outcomes.
Uganda’s Minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng, referred to the launch as a major milestone in the nation’s ongoing battle against malaria. The vaccine is expected to prevent at least 800 cases of severe malaria every day, a promising prospect for reducing the disease’s toll on young children. In addition to the health benefits, the vaccine is expected to ease the financial strain on families who are often burdened by the costs of treating malaria-related illnesses.
The vaccine is being administered in four doses, at six, seven, eight, and 18 months, to ensure maximum protection. Health officials have urged parents and caregivers to make sure that children receive all the necessary doses. The introduction of the malaria vaccine brings Uganda’s immunization schedule to a total of 14 childhood vaccines, making it one of the most comprehensive vaccination programs in Africa.
Uganda’s malaria vaccine rollout follows successful pilot programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, where the vaccine helped to reduce malaria-related deaths by 13 percent and cut hospitalizations significantly. These positive results have raised hopes that the malaria vaccine could become a critical tool in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
In addition to the vaccine, Uganda continues to promote other preventive measures such as the use of insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and seasonal malaria chemoprevention. Together, these interventions aim to dramatically reduce the prevalence of malaria and improve the health of the nation’s children.
Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death among young children in Uganda. In 2024, the country recorded 10.9 million malaria cases and 3,582 deaths. The malaria vaccination campaign, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other global partners, is seen as a vital step toward reducing these numbers and creating a healthier future for Uganda’s children.
