Uganda has launched a nationwide malaria vaccination campaign to immunize 1.1 million children under two. This initiative marks a major step in reducing malaria-related deaths and hospitalizations across the country.
Vaccination Targets High-Risk Areas
The campaign was officially launched at Booma Grounds in Apac district, an area heavily affected by malaria. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja led the event, emphasizing the importance of protecting children’s health and reducing the disease’s burden. The program, operating under the theme “Vaccinate Against Malaria and Other Preventable Diseases, Protect Your Child for Life,” will cover 105 districts with high malaria transmission rates. Infants between six and 18 months will receive the R21/Matrix-M vaccine.
WHO-Approved Vaccine Enhances Immunization Efforts
The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the R21/Matrix-M vaccine in 2021 after clinical trials confirmed its ability to lower severe malaria cases and hospitalizations. Uganda is now the 19th African country to integrate the vaccine into its routine immunization program. WHO Representative to Uganda, Kasonde Mwinga, commended Uganda’s commitment to reducing malaria cases through vaccination.
Health Impact and Additional Prevention Measures
Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng stated that the vaccine could prevent 800 severe malaria cases daily among children. She urged parents to ensure their children complete the four-dose schedule at six, seven, eight, and 18 months for full protection. Uganda’s immunization program now includes 14 childhood vaccines, one of the most comprehensive in Africa. UNICEF’s Uganda Representative, Robin Nandy, stressed that vaccination should be combined with other malaria prevention measures, including insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying, and seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
Malaria’s Toll and Vaccine Distribution
Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death among young children in Uganda. In 2024, the country reported 10.9 million cases and 3,582 deaths. Uganda’s vaccine rollout follows successful pilot programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, where malaria-related deaths fell by 13/percent. To support nationwide distribution, Uganda has received 2.2 million of the planned 3.5 million vaccine doses, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.