Uganda’s Ministry of Health announced Tuesday that it plans to include a malaria vaccine in the country’s routine immunization schedule starting in April 2025. The initiative aims to combat the disease and reduce child mortality rates.
The vaccine will target children aged six months to five years, according to a ministry statement.
Current statistics reveal that malaria affects a significant portion of the population: three out of every ten sick individuals in Uganda are diagnosed with the disease. Among children under five years old admitted to hospitals, six out of ten have malaria. Additionally, 20 percent of pregnant women are affected by malaria, posing serious risks to both their health and the health of their babies.
“The introduction of the malaria vaccine will enhance the government’s efforts to reduce the incidence and severity of malaria, contributing to improved childhood survival rates and lower infant and child mortality,” the ministry stated.
Data indicate that malaria is responsible for an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 deaths in Uganda each year, primarily among pregnant women and children. The disease accounts for 30 to 40 percent of outpatient visits, 15 to 20 percent of hospital admissions, and 10 percent of inpatient deaths.
