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Key messages

Routine malaria vaccinations

  1. In July 2024, a new milestone in malaria prevention was reached when Cote d’Ivoire and South Sudan introduced the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine into their routine immunisation programmes.
  2. The countries join 8 others on the continent that have already introduced RTS,S malaria vaccines (Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Benin, Liberia). The first routine malaria vaccinations outside of pilot countries took place in January 2024 in Cameroon.
  3. With two vaccines, there is now enough supply to meet the current demand. The pace of rollout is dependent on country preparation and readiness – introducing new vaccines, particularly in lower-income countries, takes time and planning to ensure optimal outcomes.
  4. In total, 15 African countries are expected to introduce malaria vaccines with Gavi support in 2024. Current plans show that countries plan to reach around 6.6 million children with the malaria vaccine in 2024 and 2025.
  5. Overall, Gavi and partners are working with more than 30 African countries that have expressed interest in introducing the malaria vaccine.
  6. Gavi needs to secure a successful replenishment for its next five-year strategic period starting 2026 in order to reach its goal of protecting at least 50 million children with four doses of either malaria vaccine.
  1. En juillet 2024, un nouveau cap a été franchi dans la prévention du paludisme lorsque la Côte d’Ivoire et le Soudan du Sud ont intégré le vaccin antipaludique R21/Matrix-M dans leurs programmes de vaccination de routine.
  2. Ces pays rejoignent huit autres sur le continent qui ont déjà introduit le vaccin antipaludique RTS,S (Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Cameroun, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Bénin, Liberia). Les premières vaccinations de routine contre le paludisme, en dehors des pays pilotes, ont eu lieu en janvier 2024 au Cameroun.
  3. Grâce à ces deux vaccins, il y a maintenant suffisamment de doses pour répondre à la demande actuelle. Le rythme de déploiement dépend de la préparation des pays – l'introduction de nouveaux vaccins, surtout dans les pays à faible revenu, nécessite du temps et une planification rigoureuse pour garantir des résultats optimaux.
  4. Au total, 15 pays africains devraient introduire des vaccins contre le paludisme avec le soutien de Gavi en 2024. Les prévisions actuelles montrent que ces pays prévoient de vacciner environ 6,6 millions d'enfants contre le paludisme en 2024 et 2025.
  5. Globalement, Gavi et ses partenaires collaborent avec plus de 30 pays africains qui ont exprimé leur intérêt pour l'introduction du vaccin antipaludique.
  6. Gavi doit garantir une reconstitution réussie pour sa prochaine période stratégique de cinq ans débutant en 2026 afin d'atteindre son objectif de protéger au moins 50 millions d'enfants avec quatre doses de vaccin contre le paludisme.

The fight against a deadly disease

  1. Malaria is one of Africa’s deadliest diseases, killing nearly half a million children each year under the age of 5 – but it affects hundreds of millions more. The biggest burden is in Africa – the continent accounted for approximately 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of deaths in 2022, making it one of Africa’s biggest killers
  2. Concerted efforts to bring down deaths through a wide range of interventions have helped reduce the overall number by a third since 2000, but progress has plateaued or even declined. The rising impact of climate change poses another concern.
  3. This is why it is exciting to have two safe and effective malaria vaccines available for wider rollout., tools available in the form of two malaria vaccines. Efforts to develop and test these vaccines involved hundreds of African scientists and communities.
  4. WHO expert reviews of RTS,S and R21 data show that both vaccines are expected to have high public health impact. Wide implementation of the malaria vaccines can save tens of thousands of young lives each year.
  5. The WHO-coordinated pilot introduction of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, 2019-2023, reached more than 2 million children and demonstrated that the first malaria vaccine reduced deaths from all causes by 13%, among children age-eligible for the vaccine, with no unintended consequences (the use of malaria vaccine did not reduce the use of insecticide-treated nets, care-seeking behaviour for fever or uptake of other childhood vaccines).
  6. The vaccines will also reduce severe cases amongst children that require hospitalisations, which will be transformative for health systems and healthcare workers. In many of the countries where the vaccine has been introduced so far, malaria cases make up a high percentage of all hospital consultations and evaluation of the pilot use of the RTS,S vaccine showed a substantial drop in child hospitalisation.
  7. The impact of the vaccines is maximised when used alongside other malaria control interventions like insecticide-treated bednets.
  1. Le paludisme est l'une des maladies les plus meurtrières en Afrique, tuant chaque année près d'un demi-million d'enfants âgés de moins de 5 ans – et affectant des centaines de millions d'autres. Le plus grand fardeau est en Afrique – le continent a représenté environ 94 % des cas mondiaux de paludisme et 95 % des décès en 2022, en faisant l'un des plus grands tueurs du continent.
  2. Les efforts concertés pour réduire les décès, grâce à un large éventail d'interventions, ont permis de réduire le nombre global de décès d'un tiers depuis 2000, mais les progrès ont stagné voire régressé. L'impact croissant du changement climatique est également préoccupant.
  3. C'est pourquoi il est enthousiasmant de disposer de deux vaccins antipaludiques sûrs et efficaces pour un déploiement plus large. Les efforts pour développer et tester ces vaccins ont impliqué des centaines de scientifiques et de communautés africaines.
  4. Les évaluations des experts de l'OMS sur les données des vaccins RTS,S et R21 montrent que ces deux vaccins devraient avoir un impact significatif sur la santé publique. Une large mise en œuvre des vaccins antipaludiques pourrait sauver des dizaines de milliers de jeunes vies chaque année.
  5. L'introduction pilote coordonnée par l'OMS du vaccin antipaludique RTS,S au Ghana, au Kenya et au Malawi, de 2019 à 2023, a permis de vacciner plus de 2 millions d'enfants.

Social media posts

EnglishFrench
The world now has two safe and effective #malaria vaccines, as Côte D'Ivoire becomes the first country to launch the #R21 vaccine. When these vaccines are used alongside other innovative interventions, we finally have the chance to turn the tide against this dreadful disease. We’re proud to support @Gavi’s efforts with partners to #endmalaria.Le monde dispose de deux vaccins sûrs et efficaces contre le paludisme, avec la Côte d'Ivoire comme premier pays à lancer le vaccin #R21. Avec ces vaccins et d'autres interventions innovantes, nous avons enfin la chance de renverser la tendance contre cette terrible maladie. Fiers de soutenir @Gavi et ses partenaires pour #endmalaria.
Malaria is one of Africa’s deadliest diseases, killing nearly half a million children each year under the age of 5. XXX is proud to work with @Gavi and partners to support the rollout of malaria vaccines to protect communities and save lives.Le paludisme est l'une des maladies les plus meurtrières en Afrique, tuant près d'un demi-million d'enfants de moins de 5 ans chaque année. XXX est fier de s'associer à @Gavi et à ses partenaires pour soutenir le déploiement des vaccins contre le paludisme.
The roll out of #malaria vaccines are a critical step in the global fight to #endmalaria. Renowned malaria expert Dr Rose Leke looks ahead to a time where we can see “a light at the end of the tunnel”: https://bit.ly/48BBgFB Via @GaviLe déploiement des vaccins contre le #paludisme est crucial dans la lutte mondiale pour y mettre fin. L'experte Dr Rose Leke parle d'un avenir avec "une lumière au bout du tunnel" : http://bit.ly/3LG45XD via @Gavi.

VaccinesWork articles + social posts

These articles from VaccinesWork showcase the devastating impact of malaria and the game-changing potential of the vaccine.

ARTICLESOCIAL MEDIA POST
Everything you need to know about the malaria vaccine [English] [Français]

New malaria vaccines are set to revolutionise our battle against this ancient disease. Here's everything you need to know about these lifesavers:https://bit.ly/3vLuzlO Via @Gavi

The road to developing a malaria vaccine has been long – about 30 years in the making – but the world now has two safe and effective vaccines. Here’s what you need to know about these vital vaccines:https://bit.ly/3vLuzlO Via @Gavi

Les nouveaux vaccins antipaludiques s'apprêtent à révolutionner notre combat contre cette maladie ancestrale. Voici tout ce que vous devez savoir sur ces vaccins cruciaux : https://bit.ly/42fghG7 Via @Gavi

Le parcours pour élaborer un vaccin contre le paludisme a été long, s'étalant sur environ 30 ans, mais le monde dispose désormais de deux vaccins sûrs et efficaces. Voici ce qu'il faut savoir sur ces vaccins essentiels : https://bit.ly/42fghG7 Via @Gavi

The malaria vaccine: A VaccinesWork guideWhich countries will receive doses of the world’s first #malaria vaccine? Check out @Gavi’s interactive map on their malaria hub to find out:https://bit.ly/3HtotZL
Vaccine profiles: Malaria

#Malaria is one of the biggest killers of children under five on the African continent, with one child dying every minute. Cases are the rise, fueled by #climatechange, but now the world has not one but two vaccines in its arsenal to fight it:https://bit.ly/429qPGy Via @Gavi

After decades of research, we now have two safe and effective #malaria vaccines available. Here’s what you need to know about how #VaccinesWork to fight this deadly disease:https://bit.ly/429qPGy #endmalaria Via @Gavi

Malawi health workers report drop in malaria cases following vaccine intro

“The vaccine is working” - health workers in Malawi have reported a drop on childhood #malaria cases since the @Gavi-funded introduction of the world’s first malaria vaccine! Learn more about its impact:https://bit.ly/4ajlL5r #VaccinesWork #endmalaria

According to @health_malawi, #malaria remains the leading cause of death in the country, claiming three lives a day. The @Gavi-supported introduction of the RTS,S vaccine is working alongside other interventions to reduce the burden and save lives:https://bit.ly/4ajlL5r

“I’ve had enough of witnessing despair”: relief and hope greet Benin’s malaria vaccine roll-out

Le Bénin se prépare au déploiement historique du vaccin contre le paludisme

“I’ve had enough of witnessing the despair of parents who lost their children to #malaria” - caregivers in Benin are celebrating the launch of the @Gavi-supported RTS,S vaccine which could help turn the tide on a disease that claims > 10,000 lives a year:https://bit.ly/4aLf2SD

Le 25 avril, à l'occasion de la Journée mondiale de lutte contre le #paludisme, le Bénin 🇧🇯 commencera à administrer le vaccin antipaludique RTS,S aux enfants. Cette maladie cause plus de 10 000 décès par an dans le pays :https://bit.ly/3JCn44d @gavi_fr @UNICEF_Benin @oms_benin

Could malaria stage a comeback in the US, Europe and elsewhere because of climate change?For the people most vulnerable to extreme weather events, #climatechange “dramatically increases their vulnerability to debilitating diseases such as #malaria.” Learn why via @Gavi:https://bit.ly/3QdmDBa #endmalaria
Ghana sees falling malaria burden, targets elimination

Ghana’s National Malaria Elimination Programme has set a target to reduce #malaria case incidence by 50% and reduce malaria mortality by 90% by the year 2028. Read @Gavi's explainer on the strategies in place to #endmalaria:https://bit.ly/43B4LFQ

After seeing a “staggering improvement” and reduction of confirmed #malaria cases, Ghana has set its sights on elimination. Health leaders outline what it will take to #endmalaria:https://bit.ly/43B4LFQ Via @Gavi

A turning point: Cameroon rolls out world’s first malaria vaccine [English] [Français]

Cameroon made history by launching the world’s first malaria vaccine as part of its immunisation programme. Read about this major step in the battle against a disease that claims nearly 14,000 Cameroonian lives each year: https://bit.ly/425s0qJ #endmalaria via @Gavi

Le Cameroun a marqué l'histoire en lançant le tout premier vaccin contre le paludisme dans le cadre de son programme de vaccination. Une avancée majeure dans la lutte contre une maladie qui prend près de 14 000 vies camerounaises chaque année : https://bit.ly/499FlRa via @Gavi

RTS,S vaccine pilot: 13% mortality reduction fuels hope for malaria control [English] [Français]

New data shows the world’s first #malaria vaccine reduced mortality from all causes by 13% in children!https://bit.ly/3SBnkpN #endmalaria via @Gavi

De nouvelles données montrent que le tout premier vaccin contre le paludisme a réduit la mortalité toutes causes confondues de 13 % chez les enfants ! http://bit.ly/424Ow2Z #EndMalaria

"Malaria isn’t so big of an issue now, thanks to the vaccine”"Malaria isn’t so big of an issue now, thanks to the vaccine” - in Kenya’s Lakeside and coastal districts, prolonged rainfall spurs seasonal malaria outbreaks. The world’s first #malaria vaccine is mitigating this deadly threat:https://bit.ly/3qQeI33 Via @Gavi #endmalaria
Malaria is thriving in Kenya thanks to climate change [English] [Français]

#Climatechange may have provided favourable conditions for a mosquito species that could expose an additional 126 million people to #malaria in Africa. Learn why the upcoming vaccine rollout is vital in drought-ridden northern Kenya: https://bit.ly/3t0udWT Via @Gavi

Le #ChangementClimatique pourrait favoriser un moustique spécifique, exposant 126 millions de personnes de plus au #paludisme en Afrique. C'est pourquoi le déploiement du vaccin est crucial dans le nord du Kenya, touché par la sécheresse https://bit.ly/3S9psDb #EndMalaria

The groundbreaking story of the world’s first malaria vaccine
[English] [Français]

“We saw >6,000 cases prevented for every 1,000 children who were vaccinated” - the world’s first #malaria vaccine is already having a huge impact across sub-Saharan Africa. Here’s why we're celebrating the upcoming rollout across 12 African countries:https://bit.ly/3DmzpUm

"Plus de 6 000 cas évités pour chaque 1 000 enfants vaccinés" - le tout premier vaccin contre le paludisme a déjà un impact considérable en Afrique subsaharienne. Voici pourquoi nous célébrons le déploiement imminent dans 12 pays africains : http://bit.ly/3SypxSn

Excitement builds in Malawi for malaria vaccine launchMalaria kills three people in Malawi every day and accounts for 15% of all hospital admissions. The upcoming inclusion of the #malaria vaccine in the country���s routine immunisation programme offers hope:https://bit.ly/3BPtb1p #endmalaria

Relevant resources

Additional content

  1. CONTENT LIBRARY with photos, videos, b-roll and interviews with experts https://media.gavi.org/?c=1923733&k=9e5596b28b
  2. GAVI MALARIA VACCINE PAGE: With timeline, FAQ, stories from communities etc.https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork
  3. FIRST MALARIA VACCINE SHIPMENTS + FAQ (Nov 2023): Shipments to African countries herald final steps toward broader vaccination against malaria: https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/shipments-african-countries-broad-vaccination-against-malaria
  4. FIRST MALARIA VACCINE ALLOCATIONS (July 2023): 18 million doses of first-ever malaria vaccine allocated to 12 African countries for 2023–2025: Gavi, WHO and UNICEF: https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/18-million-doses-first-ever-malaria-vaccine-allocated-12-african-countries-2023
  5. MALARIA VACCINE SUPPLY ROADMAP (April 2023): Gavi outlines plans to build sustainable supply of malaria vaccines: https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/gavi-outlines-plans-build-sustainable-supply-malaria-vaccines

Additional resources from WHO

  1. WHO Q&A ON MALARIA VACCINES (RTS,S and R21): Malaria vaccines (RTS,S and R21) (who.int)
  2. VIDEOS OF MALARIA VACCINE IMPACT with first-person stories and quotes
    1. English: High impact results in Africa from the world’s first malaria vaccine (youtube.com)
    2. French: Le premier vaccin antipaludique au monde produit des résultats à fort impact en Afrique (youtube.com)
  3. PHOTO STORY (mothers and health workers): Health workers: key to the success of the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (who.int)
  4. WHO INFOGRAPHIC: who_mvi_infographic-jan2024-01_approved.pdf
Last updated: 19 Jul 2024

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