APAC – Today, Uganda’s Ministry of Health has launched a malaria vaccination campaign in the APAC district of northern Uganda with the support of Gabi, Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) and Alliance Partners, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), Pas and Chai. This makes Uganda the 19th country in Africa, bringing the malaria vaccine into daily vaccinations, and the largest malaria vaccine rollout to date in terms of target areas and population. Uganda is accompanied by plans to expand nationwide.
The APAC district is reported to be the most mosquito bites per person worldwide (more than 1,500 bites per person per year).
According to WHO 2022 data, malaria is the main cause of young children in Uganda, responsible for up to 40% of all outpatient visits, 25% of hospitalizations and 14% of deaths in all hospitals. In 2023, Uganda was one of the top five African countries with the highest malaria burden, along with Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Mozambique.
Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Assen Othello said: “The introduction of vaccines marks an important milestone in the fight against malaria. It can prevent at least 800 severe malaria cases among children every day, alleviates the financial burden on families, and is spent on cases spent on cases spent on treatment of severe malaria, and treating cases spent on treatment of severe malaria, vaccines at the nearest shelter.
Gavi coordinates the global malaria vaccination programme and provides important financial support for the procurement, transportation and deployment of doses. So far, Gavi has supported 19 African countries in integrating malaria vaccines into routine immunization programs. By working with the country and partners, Gavi ensures the delivery of malaria vaccines as part of a comprehensive malaria control strategy.
Gavi’s model relies on cooperatives. That is, the country contributes to the costs of its vaccine and gradually pays as income increases as it pays it fully to its program. However, future support for the Global Malaria Programme will depend on GAVI to ensure adequate funding for the next five-year strategic period, starting in 2026. Funding shortages also reduce programs, leading to preventable deaths and major threats to global health security.
Commenting on the historical developments, Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar said, “At one of the highest malaria incidences in the world, Uganda is facing a merciless battle with this deadly disease. Children undermine the progress made so far.
UNICEF is responsible for vaccine procurement and air freight, raising awareness within the community to increase vaccine demand, and reaffirming its commitment to Uganda’s child health and vaccination efforts.
“Unicef is proud to support the historic deployment of Uganda’s malaria vaccine, representing an important milestone in our collective efforts to protect children from this deadly disease. This vaccine must be combined with existing precautions, said Dr. Robin Nandi, Uganda’s UNICEF president.
In preparing for the rollout of the malaria vaccination campaign, the Ministry of Health, supported by its partners, has distributed 22.78 million malaria vaccines to 105 districts with advanced and moderate infections across Uganda. The ministry is also running an intensified community mobilization and awareness campaign, including involvement of lawmakers, cultural leaders and religious leaders at the local level, and running a door-to-door campaign. Other preparatory activities include developing vaccine implementation plans, implementing training for healthcare workers, and ensuring adequate cold chain capacity across the district.
Those who coordinated the pilot ratings for RTS, S/AS01, the first malaria vaccine jointly funded by Gavi and other partners. Through the multi-year programme in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi, which protected millions of children, pilots generated evidence that the introduction of the vaccine reduced the overall child mortality rate by 13%. This gives us a clear idea of who the recommendations and prequalifications for the two safe and effective malaria vaccines available today. We continue to support our nation by providing guidance, sharing experiences, and providing technical assistance to ensure successful implementation.
“Today marks the historic turning point in Uganda’s battle with malaria. By integrating malaria vaccines into everyday vaccinations, Uganda is taking a bold step towards protecting children, saving lives and ensuring a healthier future. This vaccine is a game-changer.
Notes for the editor
Why do you have children rather than adults? Children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk of dying from malaria, accounting for more than 75% of global deaths caused by illness. Uganda’s malaria vaccine, like 18 other Gavi-supported countries, will be integrated into routine immunization services to protect young children most vulnerable to the disease. Unlike adults, young children have no opportunity to develop partial immunity through years of exposure, and are particularly at risk. In 2023 alone, malaria caused 597,000 deaths worldwide and 432,000 children died in Africa. Safety and Efficacy of Malaria Vaccines: Both the RTS, S/AS01, and R21/Matrix-M vaccines are recommended by people who are pre-qualified, prevent malaria in children and are safe and effective. In phase 3 clinical trials, both vaccines reduced malaria cases by more than half the first year after vaccination. This is a period during which the child is at a high risk of illness or death. The fourth dose given in the second year of life. Both vaccines reduce malaria cases by 75% when given seasonally in the area of highly seasonal transmission. The vaccine targets P. Falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite worldwide and the most prevalent in Africa. For more information about the vaccine, see https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/item/qa-on-rts-s-malaria-vaccinee has introduced 14 of 18 countries that have already deployed malaria vaccines with Gabi’s support. Coast Ivory Coast, South Sudan, Mozambique, Central African Republic, Niger, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Nigeria, Burundi. Three other people — Ghana, Kenya and Malawi — introduced the first malaria vaccines, RTS, RTS and S, during the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program (MVIP) in 2019, and then expanded the regular vaccine offerings. In addition to Burundi (which was rolled out in March) and Uganda, six to eight countries, including Mali, Ethiopia and Guinea, are expected to deploy vaccines in 2025.
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About the Vaccine Alliance, Gabi
Gavi, Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate more than half of the world’s children against some of the world’s most deadly diseases. The Vaccine Alliance brings together partners from developing countries and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical institutions, civil society, the Gates Foundation and other private sectors. Check out our full list of donor governments and other major organizations that fund Gavi’s work here.
Since its founding in 2000, Gavi has supported more than 1.1 billion children to vaccinate generations, preventing more than 18.8 million future deaths, and halving child mortality rates in 78 low-income countries. Gavi plays a key role in improving global health security by funding global stockpiles of Ebola, cholera, meningococcus and yellow fever vaccines, as well as supporting the health system. After 20 years of progress, Gavi is currently focusing on protecting zero-dose children who have not even received one vaccine shot. Vaccine Alliance employs innovative finance and the latest technology from drones to biometrics. For more information, please visit www.gavi.org. X (Twitter).
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and happiness of all children in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories, translate their commitments into actual actions, and focus our special efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children everywhere, for the benefit of all children.
For more information about UNICEF and work for children, visit www.unicef.org/uganda.
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