Tag Archives: Malaria Vaccine

AMA, Health

Calls for Urgent Action to Address Delays in Africa’s Malaria Vaccine Rollout on World Malaria Day

Maravi Post Reporter

ZAMBIA, Lusaka, 24 April 2025 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- On World Malaria Day, an international observance commemorated every year on April 25th to recognize global efforts to control malaria (a disease that puts 3.3 billion people in 106 countries at risk), 1Day Africa, an advocacy organization dedicated to accelerating life-saving medical research, is raising concerns about the slow pace of malaria vaccine deployment across Africa. While the R21 malaria vaccine holds great promise in contributing to the elimination of this deadly disease, outdated and in some cases non-existent regulations are hindering its rapid distribution, leaving millions vulnerable.

1Day Sooner is calling for urgent action to streamline as well as harmonize regulatory processes and prioritize the deployment of malaria vaccines across the continent.

Malaria continues to have a devastating impact on African communities, particularly children. According to the 2024 World Malaria Report by the World Health Organization, Africa accounted for approximately 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of global malaria deaths. Vaccines offer a powerful tool to significantly reduce this burden, but their impact is limited by regulatory delays.

“Malaria vaccines have the potential to save countless lives, but their impact is severely limited by the slow pace of the deployment, aided by slow operational and regulatory processes,” said Zacharia Kafuko, 1Day Sooner Africa’s Director. “Regulations, lack of funding, and the shrinking political will are delaying the deployment of these lifesaving vaccines, leaving millions of children at risk. We need urgent action to streamline and harmonize these processes to ensure that the vaccines reach those who need them most.”

1Day Sooner is calling for the following actions:

  • Streamlined Regulatory Processes: African governments and regulatory bodies must harmonize, prioritize, and expedite the review and approval of malaria vaccines, adopting best practices and leveraging international expertise to accelerate the process.
  • Increased International Collaboration and Funding: International organizations, donor countries, and philanthropic foundations must increase their financial and technical support for malaria vaccine research, development, and deployment in Africa.
  • Increased involvement of local businesses, local philanthropic organizations, and governments in high-burden countries to work towards innovative and increased funding for the fight against malaria.
  • Community Engagement and Education: Governments and health organizations must engage with local communities to build sustainable trust in vaccines and address any concerns or misconceptions.

“Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, and we have the tools needed to eliminate it,” said Kafuko. “But we need urgent action to overcome the regulatory, operational, and financial hurdles that are delaying the deployment of lifesaving vaccines. On this World Malaria Day, we call on governments, policymakers, and international organizations to prioritize and expedite malaria vaccine rollout in Africa.”

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of 1Day Sooner.

About 1Day Sooner

1Day Sooner, a U.S.-based nonprofit, is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of life-saving medical research and policy interventions. 1Day Africa, as its African chapter, is committed to advancing the continent’s capabilities in local medical research and healthcare delivery, particularly for infectious diseases.

For more information, visit www.1daysooner.org or follow them on LinkedIn, X, and Bluesky.

For Media Inquiries Contact

Mbali Mpolokeng

Communications Consultant 

Cell No. +27 65 921 8338

mbali@africacommunicationsgroup.com

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Health, Malawi

Malawi ready with Malaria vaccine

Maravi Post Reporter
Malawi media oriented on Malaria vaccine

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi has introduced Malaria vaccines in a bid to contain the disease which is still killing 2, 500 people yearly from six million cases.

Deputy Director for Ministry of Health, Michael Kayange told the media orientation in Salima that Malawi introduced the vaccine after participating in three phases of malaria track through University of North Carolina (UNC) project.

Kayange said World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the roll out of the vaccine in the country on October 6, 2021.

He said the vaccine effectively work in children from five months to 17 months with an assurance of two years protection.

Kayange however said currently global vaccine supply may not meet the demand and the vaccine might be insufficient through the first 4 to 6 years.

He observes that there is need for Malaria burden stratification and vaccine prioritization exercise to identify priority districts.

He therefore said the country has received donation from Give Way for the pilot vaccine for the 11 districts.

Meanwhile the country has applied to Global Alliance on Vaccine Initiative (Gavi) for seven additional districts.

The country will roll out of the vaccine on November 29, 2022 in Mchinji.

The 11 districts including Karonga, Nkhataby, Ntchisi,Mchinji, Lilongwe rural, Mangochi machinga Balaka, Phalombe, Chikwawa, and Nsanje

Health

World Vision welcomes historic malaria vaccine’s breakthrough for Southern Africa children

Lloyd M’bwana

World Vision Southern Africa has welcomed the WHO endorsement of the world’s first malaria vaccine in Africa;recognising the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine (also known as Mosquirix) as a historic breakthrough for the most vulnerable children across the region.

Malaria disproportionately affects the poor and most marginalised communities, as they are at highrisk and have the least access to effective services. Due to more vulnerable immune systems, children under 5 years old, pregnant women, and people living with HIV and AIDS are more susceptible to malaria.

“The development is historic for children under 5, who die every day due to malaria; a preventable disease. The vaccine could save thousands of children’s lives every year in Southern Africa”, said Mark Kelly, World Vision’s Regional Leader for Southern Africa.

The child-focused organisation is following through on its commitment to fight malaria until it is defeated. In August 2021, the Government of Malawi hailed World Vision’s support in the fight against malaria, as the organisation has safeguarded nearly two million people from the disease in Mangochi, Balaka and Nkhata Bay districts through an Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) project.

The IRSproject is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, through funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“We appeal for widespread availability for the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine particularly among communities with the most vulnerable children in the region after the successful pilot programme in three African countries”, Mr. Kelly further added.

Malaria is a major public health problem in Malawi, with an estimated 6 million cases recorded annually. For children under five years of age and pregnant women, it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Currently, malaria accounts for over 30% of outpatient visits and 34% of in-patients (HMIS 2018).

“We commend the Malawi government for including the malaria vaccine amongst the key vaccines to be administered to children in the upcoming operations. Across Malawi, malariaslows down social and economic development. If we are to uplift people’s lives, it is imperative that we must do all we can to end malaria”, said Francis Dube, World Vision’s National Director for Malawi.

Dube further added that World Vision will work hand in hand with its key partners, including traditional and faith leaders, to promote acceptance and uptake of the vaccine.

In Malawi, like many other African countries where malaria is an issue, World Vision works to protect families from malaria infections – especially among pregnant women and children under age 5 – by providing long-lasting insecticide treated nets. World Vision also works to strengthen health systems to make sure families have access to proper key messages, diagnosis, treatment and care.

Malawi is among the top 20 countries with the highest malaria prevalence and mortality rates (2% of global cases and deaths). About 7.4% of all malaria cases in Eastern and Southern Africa occur in Malawi.

In 2017, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that five countries accounted for nearly half of all malaria cases worldwide. Four of them are in Africa: Nigeria (25%), DRC (11%), Mozambique (5%) and Uganda (4%).

There has been a decline in the incidence of malaria in Malawi, from 386 cases per 1000 population in 2016 to 286 per 100 in 2019, as well as a 43% reduction in the rate of mortality between 2015 and 2019. This decline is aligned with the Malawian Government’s efforts to eradicate malaria in the country by 2030, through the “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” campaign.