By Joyce Ojanji
The Malian Ministry of Health, with assistance from partner organizations, has initiated an unprecedented approach for delivering a malaria vaccine. This effort targets children between the ages of 5 and 36 months.
This method involves administering the initial three doses at monthly intervals throughout the year according to age, succeeded by the delivery of the fourth and fifth doses during spring—specifically in May or June of the subsequent year—to preemptively guard against increased malaria transmission periods.
Launched on 25 th In April, on World Malaria Day 2025, this African nation joins the ranks of the 20 countries on the continent that have integrated the malaria vaccine into their standard immunization schedules, thanks to assistance from Gavi.
The implementation is crucial not just for Mali but also for the continent's broader initiatives aimed at eliminating malaria.
The initial deployment of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, set for use in Mali’s immunization program, is underway in 19 key districts spanning five regions—Kayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Ségou, and Sikasso—as stated by the World Health Organization. WHO ).
Mali has been provided with 927,800 vaccine doses ahead of the rollout, which will help establish a thorough and efficient vaccination initiative.
Regarding the data emphasizing the urgency of Mali’s vaccination initiatives, the WHO World Malaria Report for 2024 indicates that in 2023, Mali accounted for 2.4% of global malaria deaths (14,328) and 3.1% of all malaria cases (8.15 million).
One of the 11 countries with the most significant malaria incidence worldwide, these statistics highlight the critical necessity for effective measures like the newly introduced immunization initiative.
Following Uganda's recently conducted extensive deployment—the largest to date in terms of both district reach and number of people covered—Mali now makes its initial appearance.
The malaria vaccine is becoming more popular throughout Africa. By 2023, around 24 million doses of the vaccine had been distributed across the continent as governments broaden their immunization initiatives.
Gavi plays a crucial role in this landmark effort, managing the global malaria vaccination program. The group works hand-in-hand with governments and collaborators to ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives. By providing backing, Gavi facilitates the procurement, delivery, and distribution of malaria vaccines, partnering closely with organizations like UNICEF and WHO.