The first malaria vaccine is being rolled out on a larger scale in Africa

In a historic step forward in global health, the first malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01 (also known as Mosquirix), is being rolled out on a larger scale across several African countries. After years of clinical trials and pilot programs, the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed the vaccine for broader use in 2021. Now, countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi are leading the way in offering the vaccine to young children — the most vulnerable group to malaria.
Malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest diseases, with over 600,000 deaths globally each year, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa and among children under the age of five. The rollout of Mosquirix marks a significant breakthrough, as this is the first vaccine proven to reduce malaria cases and severe illness in young children.
The vaccine requires four doses for full protection, starting at 5 months of age. Early results from pilot programs show that the vaccine, when used alongside other preventive measures like mosquito nets and antimalarial drugs, can reduce child deaths by 13%.
Health officials and parents have expressed hope and relief. “We’ve waited for something like this for years,” said a mother in Kenya. “Now I feel more confident about my child’s future.”
Despite the excitement, challenges remain — including maintaining a steady vaccine supply and ensuring access in remote regions. However, global partners such as Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO are working together to support the logistics and funding.
Experts call the vaccine a "game-changer," though not a standalone solution. Continued investment in public health infrastructure and mosquito control remains critical.
Still, the large-scale rollout of the malaria vaccine offers new hope in the long-standing fight against one of the world’s oldest and deadliest diseases.