HISTORICAL : Uganda Launches Malaria Vaccination Campaign in Apac District Today

Uganda Launches Landmark Malaria Vaccination Campaign in Apac District Today 

By Ambrose Ogwang  

Apac, Uganda: The Uganda Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), and its Alliance partners—including UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), PATH, and CHAI—has officially launched a nationwide malaria vaccination campaign in Apac District, northern Uganda.

The introduction of the malaria vaccine today marks a significant milestone, making Uganda the 19th African country to incorporate the vaccine into its routine immunisation programme. It is the largest malaria vaccine roll-out to date in terms of both the number of target districts and the population covered.

The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, administered in four doses at 6, 7, 8, and 18 months, will initially target 1.1 million children under two years old across 105 high- and moderate-transmission districts. The programme aims to expand nationwide in the near future.

High Malaria Burden in Apac District

Apac District, where the launch is taking place, has been identified as the location with the highest number of mosquito bites per person globally, with an alarming over 1,500 bites per person annually. Health experts anticipate that the vaccine will significantly reduce malaria-related mortality, particularly among children.

In his welcoming remarks, Odongo Asenti, Local Council 5 Chairperson of Apac District, expressed gratitude to the Ugandan government for prioritising healthcare initiatives. He noted that the vaccine would play a crucial role in reducing malaria-related deaths among children in Apac.

Malaria Continues to Be Uganda’s Leading Health Challenge

Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death among young children in Uganda, accounting for:

40% of all outpatient visits

25% of hospital admissions

14% of all hospital deaths (Source: WHO, 2022).

In 2023, Uganda ranked among the top five African nations with the highest malaria burden, alongside Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.

Ugandan Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, is representing H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the high-profile launch event at Apac Boma Grounds. She is joined by Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health, alongside other senior government officials, healthcare experts, and dignitaries.

The malaria vaccination campaign is expected to greatly enhance Uganda’s fight against the disease, saving thousands of lives and improving overall public health across the country.