Malaria vaccine rollout across Africa called fastest in Gavi history
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has described the rollout of malaria vaccines across Africa as the fastest in its history, signaling a critical moment in the fight against one of the continent's deadliest diseases. According to Gavi's Chief Country Delivery Officer, Thabani Maphosa, 25 African countries now provide malaria vaccines through routine immunisation programs, and early country reports already show reductions in severe disease and hospital admissions.
The speed of the rollout reflects high demand from countries, Maphosa said. He noted that for the first time, malaria vaccines are being delivered routinely at scale, alongside established tools like bed nets, chemoprevention, and treatment. While elimination is not imminent, countries are now better equipped than ever to protect children and relieve pressure on health systems, he added.
In Cameroon, mothers at Soa District Hospital reported fewer malaria cases in vaccinated children. One local resident observed a drastic improvement in her third child, who had been vaccinated. The World Health Organization estimates that about 70% to 72% of malaria-related deaths in Cameroon occur among children under the age of five.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, emphasized the importance of proper vaccine use. "When this vaccine is used in combination with the other tools that we have and when we use it at the right time, before a rainy season, and when we give the full doses, all cause child mortality reduces, cases declined by 70%," she said.
Despite the encouraging early results, questions persist about impact, delivery, and how to maintain progress as countries increase rollout. Gavi has invested $5 million in a learning agenda to test the impact and effectiveness of different delivery methods across seven African countries. The alliance's goal is to protect 50 million more children over five years and save 180,000 lives.
Climate change is also influencing malaria transmission through rising temperatures, flooding, and changing rainfall patterns, complicating control efforts. Concerns remain about funding sustainability and rising co-financing requirements for malaria vaccination programs. Second-generation vaccines currently in development could offer higher efficacy and simpler dosing, which might ease some of these challenges.
While the current vaccines represent a major step forward, experts and officials caution that they are not a silver bullet. The vaccines work best when layered with bed nets, chemoprevention, and treatment, and sustained financial and political commitment will be essential to protect the gains achieved so far.