
A child dies from malaria nearly every minute. This staggering reality underscores the ongoing global health crisis posed by malaria, particularly in Africa. The 2024 World Malaria Report paints a grim picture: there were 263 million malaria cases globally in 2023, up from 252 million in 2022. Malaria-related deaths stood at 597,000 in 2023, with 73.7% of these fatalities occurring in children under five years old. This translates to more than 1,200 young lives lost to malaria daily, mostly in Africa. The WHO African Region alone accounts for 94% of cases and 95% of deaths globally.
In Uganda, the situation is even more alarming. Severe malaria contributes to 15-20% of hospital admissions and remains the leading cause of death among children aged 0-5 years. Uganda has the highest malaria incidence rate in the world, with 302 cases per 1,000 people annually, and over 90% of the population at risk. The economic toll is significant, with malaria costing Uganda over $500 million annually. Tragically, the country’s malaria death rate is estimated at 70,000 to 100,000 deaths per year, surpassing even HIV/AIDS.
Efforts to combat malaria in Uganda face numerous obstacles, including: Increasing resistance to commonly used antimalarial drugs, inadequate use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs), and limited access to treatment particularly in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.
Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Health has implemented several interventions, such as strengthening the “test and treat” policy, indoor residual spraying, painting walls with mosquito-repellent paint, and distributing ITNs. However, these measures have not been sufficient to significantly reduce malaria’s morbidity and mortality, with over 19,600 deaths annually.
In 2025, Uganda is set to introduce a malaria vaccine for children aged 0-5 years. This vaccine offers a much-needed boost in the fight against malaria. Uganda follows the example of 17 other African countries that have integrated malaria vaccines into their routine childhood immunization programs. These countries represent roughly 70% of the global malaria burden.
The RTS,S vaccine, the first of its kind, was recommended by the WHO in 2021. It has shown significant success in reducing malaria cases and deaths during pilot programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. Since 2023, UNICEF, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has delivered over 12 million doses of the RTS,S vaccine to African countries. In 2024 alone, 14 countries, including Cameroon, Nigeria, and South Sudan, introduced the vaccine for the first time.
In January 2024, the WHO Regional Office for Africa launched the Accelerating Malaria Vaccine Introduction and Rollout in Africa (AMVIRA) initiative. AMVIRA aims to provide technical support to countries for effective vaccine rollout and enhance coordination among partners at national, regional, and global levels. The malaria vaccine rollout and scale-up in Africa represent a critical step forward in addressing one of the continent’s deadliest diseases.
Vaccines have consistently proven their effectiveness in providing long-lasting protection against diseases. Their success is evident in combating COVID-19, polio, measles, and cervical cancer. The introduction of the malaria vaccine in Uganda is expected to be a game-changer, particularly given the country’s high disease burden.
For Uganda, the malaria vaccine offers hope and an opportunity to save countless lives. It is essential for all stakeholders especially parents to support these efforts. By embracing this life-saving intervention, we can protect the leaders of tomorrow and work toward a malaria-free future.
The fight against malaria is far from over, but with the introduction of the malaria vaccine and sustained global and national efforts, the goal of ending malaria by 2030 is within reach. Together, we can ensure a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.
Daraus Bahikire is a Public Health Specialist and the Executive Director, Purpose Health Care Africa, a Public Health promoting organization in Uganda.