January 2025 marks a significant milestone in the fight against malaria in African nations, commemorating one year since malaria vaccines were integrated into large-scale national immunization programs.¹ Globally, malaria caused an estimated 597,000 deaths in 2023, with a mortality rate of 13.7 per 100,000 people. Africa bore the brunt of this burden, accounting for 95% of global malaria deaths.²

Cameroon led the way in January 2024 by deploying the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine nationwide, followed by Burkina Faso in February 2024. By the end of 2024, at least 17 African countries had incorporated either RTS,S/AS01 or R21/Matrix-M vaccines into their national immunization programs, focusing on children in areas with high and moderate malaria burdens using a four-dose schedule.¹ This unprecedented rollout was supported by funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and technical assistance from WHO and partners like UNICEF, PATH, AMP, and Jhpiego.

Eight additional African nations are expected to introduce malaria vaccines into their immunization programs in 2025. The combination of vaccines and preventive measures such as bed nets and insecticide spraying represents a critical step in reducing malaria's devastating impact on African children.

Compiled by: Le Minh Dat (email: lmd@vpha.org.vn)

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References

1. WHO Africa. Nearly 10 000 children vaccinated as malaria vaccine rollout in Africa expands. Accessed April2, 2025. https://www.afro.who.int/news/nearly-10-000-children-vaccinated-malaria-vaccine-rollout-africa-expands

2. WHO. World malaria report 2024. 2024. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240104440