Sudan has begun administering the malaria vaccine to approximately 148,000 children under the age of 12 months across 15 sites in the Gedaref and Blue Nile states. The country is one of the first 16 African nations to introduce this crucial vaccine.
This campaign is a collaboration between Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The first shipment of 186,000 doses arrived in Sudan in October, marking a significant step in the fight against malaria.
The malaria vaccine will be rolled out in 129 sites across the country in 2025 and 2026. Malaria remains a major threat, killing nearly half a million children under the age of five each year in Africa. In Sudan, more than 3.4 million malaria cases were reported in 2023, with around 7,900 estimated deaths, although the actual numbers may be higher due to the ongoing conflict and communication challenges.
The vaccine, recommended for children aged five to 12 months, is expected to significantly reduce hospital admissions and mortality rates from malaria.
Since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, more than 14 million people have been displaced, exacerbating the country’s public health challenges.