Kajjansi, March 7, 2025 – In a landmark step in the fight against malaria, Uganda has officially launched the distribution of 2.278 million doses of the malaria vaccine to 105 districts with high and moderate transmission rates. The initiative, spearheaded by the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, is part of a broader strategy to integrate the vaccine into the national immunization program by April 2025. This monumental effort, backed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and co-financed by the Government of Uganda, marks the country’s most ambitious malaria vaccination campaign to date.
The four-dose vaccine regimen, administered at 6, 7, 8, and 18 months, is designed to provide robust protection to children under two, the demographic most vulnerable to malaria. With malaria being the leading cause of illness and child mortality in Uganda, this rollout is expected to significantly reduce the burden of severe infections and fatalities among children under five. UNICEF, responsible for procuring and air-freighting the vaccines, has ensured a timely and efficient delivery process, reinforcing Uganda’s commitment to strengthening its immunization framework.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Aceng underscored the historic nature of the initiative, hailing it as a game-changer in disease prevention. “The introduction of the malaria vaccine in Uganda is a transformative milestone in our ongoing battle against this deadly disease. Through the steadfast support of Gavi, UNICEF, and our global health partners, we are ensuring that every eligible child has access to this life-saving intervention,” she stated. Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF’s Representative to Uganda, also emphasized the need for parents to fully embrace the expanded immunization schedule, which now includes 14 childhood vaccines—one of the most comprehensive in Africa.
Gavi’s Senior Country Manager for Uganda, Billie Nieuwenhuys, lauded the government and its partners for their meticulous preparation for the world’s largest malaria vaccine introduction to date. WHO, which coordinated the initial malaria vaccine pilot, continues to provide technical guidance and support to ensure smooth implementation. “The efforts that have been made to prepare for this vaccine rollout demonstrate Uganda’s unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable children from malaria, a disease that claims too many lives,” Nieuwenhuys remarked.
The malaria vaccine rollout aligns with Uganda’s broader multi-pronged malaria control strategy, which includes insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and prompt case management. The Ministry of Health has urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive the vaccine as part of routine immunization services. With additional African nations like Burundi, Mali, Ethiopia, and Guinea set to introduce the vaccine in 2025, Uganda’s bold step signals a turning point in the continent’s relentless battle against one of its deadliest diseases.
