Malaria Vaccine Rollout Gains Momentum in Africa, Saving Lives

Recent days have seen several significant developments in the fight against malaria, particularly concerning the rollout and integration of the malaria vaccine across parts of Africa. Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a dominant public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Experts estimate that the disease continues to kill hundreds of thousands annually, with children under five enduring the highest risk of severe illness and death.

On September 1, 2025, Togo officially introduced the R21 malaria vaccine into its national immunization program, marking a major milestone in the country’s public health strategy. The Ministry of Health and Hygiene’s immunization division led the initiative, emphasizing broad awareness and mobilization at a recent stakeholder meeting in Lomé. Authorities outlined that children five months and older will now systematically receive four doses of the vaccine: at five, six, seven, and fifteen months of age. The government advocates the vaccine as both safe and effective, aiming to reduce the incidence of simple and severe malaria cases among children. The R21 vaccine’s rollout is supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines (Gavi), and executive-level meetings have reinforced partnerships at the highest political level, including recent discussions between Gavi’s CEO Sania Nishtar and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé during the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. According to local health officials, these efforts are integrated within broader malaria prevention measures including treated mosquito nets and chemoprevention for pregnant women, reflecting a commitment to comprehensive disease control.

Simultaneously, Western Equatoria State in South Sudan is launching its first malaria vaccination campaign for children under five, spearheaded by the government in partnership with organizations such as UNICEF, World Vision, and CMMB. The campaign introduces a multi-dose regimen beginning at six months of age, followed by doses at seven, eight, and eighteen months. Health leaders in the region have stressed that malaria remains the foremost threat to child health, citing staggering statistics: in 2022, South Sudan recorded over 2.8 million malaria cases, and at least 18 children reportedly die from the disease each day. Officials describe these deaths as preventable, urging expanded vaccination coverage and support for harder-to-reach communities.

The World Health Organization and other global agencies continue to monitor and support malaria prevention strategies, including vaccine deployment. The organization notes that malaria vaccines such as Mosquirix and R21/Matrix-M are now available in several African countries, though not currently in the U.S., reflecting the regional focus of the rollout. Routine immunization programs are being adjusted to accommodate the malaria vaccine, and significant investments in training and distribution are ensuring that doses reach tens of thousands of children in the areas most in need.

These initiatives come at a time when vaccine-preventable diseases continue to threaten global health and development. The World Health Organization, the UK Health Security Agency, and other institutions emphasize staying up to date on disease outbreaks and vaccination schedules, especially for those traveling to affected regions. As efforts intensify across Togo, South Sudan, and other African nations, government leaders and health partners remain united in their mission to ensure every eligible child receives the protective benefit of malaria vaccination. The recent actions underscore a renewed commitment to reducing child mortality and confronting malaria’s persistent grip on communities during peak transmission seasons.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Recent days have seen several significant developments in the fight
against malaria, particularly concerning the rollout and integration of the
malaria vaccine across parts of Africa. Malaria, a life threatening
disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bites of infected
female anophilies mosquitoes, remains a dominant public health challenge in

(00:22):
sub Saharan Africa. Experts estimate that the disease continues to
kill hundreds of thousands annually, with children under five enduring
the highest risk of severe illness and death. On September one,
twenty twenty five, Togo officially introduced the R twenty one
malaria vaccine into its national immunization program, marking a major

(00:44):
milestone in the country's public health strategy. The Ministry of
Health and Hygiene's Immunization Division led the initiative, emphasizing broad
awareness and mobilization. At a recent stakeholder meeting in Lome,
authorities outlined that children five months in older will now
see systematically receive four doses of the vaccine at five, six, seven,

(01:04):
and fifteen months of age. The government advocates the vaccine
as both safe and effective, aiming to reduce the incidence
of simple and severe malaria cases among children. The R
twenty one vaccine's rollout is supported by the Global Alliance
for Vaccines GAVI, and executive level meetings have reinforced partnerships

(01:24):
at the highest political level, including recent discussions between GAVI's
CEO Sania Nishtar and Togalese President Fauer Nasingbe during the
Tokyo International Conference on African Development. According to local health officials,
these efforts are integrated within broader malaria prevention measures, including

(01:45):
treated mosquito nets and chemo prevention for pregnant women, reflecting
a commitment to comprehensive disease control. Simultaneously, Western Equatoria State
in South Sudan is launching its first malaria vaccination campaign
for CHIPS children under five, spearheaded by the government in
partnership with organizations such as UNICEF, World Vision and CMMB.

(02:08):
The campaign introduces a multi dose regimen beginning at six
months of age, followed by doses at seven, eight and
eighteen months. Health leaders in the region have stressed that
malaria remains the foremost threat to child health, citing staggering statistics.
In twenty twenty two, South Sudan recorded over two point
eight million malaria cases and at least eighteen children reportedly

(02:31):
die from the disease each day. Officials describe these deaths
as preventable, urging expanded vaccination coverage and support for harder
to reach communities. The World Health Organization and other global
agencies continue to monitor and support malaria prevention strategies, including
vaccine deployment. The organization notes that malaria vaccines such as

(02:54):
Muskirix and R twenty one matrix M are now available
in several African countries, though not currently in the US,
reflecting the regional focus of the rollout. Routine immunization programs
are being adjusted to accommodate the malaria vaccine, and significant
investments in training and distribution are ensuring that doses reach

(03:14):
tens of thousands of children in the areas most in need.
These initiatives come at a time when vaccine preventable diseases
continue to threaten global health and development. The World Health Organization,
the UK Health Security Agency, and other institutions emphasize staying
up to date on disease outbreaks and vaccination schedules, especially

(03:37):
for those traveling to affected regions, as efforts intensify across Togo,
South Sudan, and other African nations. Government leaders and health
partners remain united in their mission to ensure every eligible
child receives the protective benefit of malaria vaccination. The recent
actions underscore a renewed commitment to reducing child mortality and

(04:00):
confronting malaria's persistent grip on communities during peak transmission seasons.