Summary:
Everyday 10 children under 5 die due to Malaria.
Minister for Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng received and flagged off over 2.1 million doses of the Malaria vaccine (out of 3.5 Million doses) for 105 districts with high and moderate Malaria across the country.
KAMPALA: Uganda on Friday received a historic consignment of 2,278,000 doses of malaria vaccines, valued at $8.88 million, donated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and procured through UNICEF. This milestone marks a significant advancement in the country’s fight against malaria, a leading cause of child mortality.
At the official handover event, Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative in Uganda, commended the Ministry of Health for its unwavering commitment to expanding immunization coverage. He highlighted Uganda’s remarkable progress in combating vaccine-preventable diseases such as Polio, Measles, Hepatitis, Meningitis, Pneumonia, and diarrhoea, ensuring healthier futures for children.
Dr. Nandy underscored the devastating impact of malaria on Uganda’s children, noting that it remains the leading cause of illness and death among children under five, contributing to approximately 20,000 deaths annually. The disease also accounts for 30-50% of outpatient visits, 15-20% of hospital admissions, and up to 20% of inpatient deaths.
He emphasized that introducing the malaria vaccine is a crucial addition to Uganda’s malaria response strategy, complementing, rather than replacing, existing preventive measures. The nationwide rollout, scheduled to begin on April 2nd, will target 105 districts with the highest malaria burden, making it the largest malaria vaccine deployment globally.
In a further boost to Uganda’s immunization efforts, a state-of-the-art Central Vaccine Store walk-in cold room complex was inaugurated at the National Medical Stores (NMS). Dr. Nandy hailed this facility as a critical milestone in Uganda’s healthcare infrastructure.
With a capacity of 2,500 cubic metres, it is one of the largest vaccine storage facilities in the region, significantly enhancing the country’s ability to store and distribute life-saving vaccines. He acknowledged Gavi’s $1.5 million investment in the project and praised partners for their contributions to funding, procurement, installation, and construction.
Reaffirming UNICEF’s commitment to the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunization (UNEPI), Dr. Nandy assured continued collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to strengthen immunization efforts.
He also recognized Uganda’s frontline health workers, lauding their dedication to ensuring that children across the country receive life-saving vaccines.
Addressing parents and caregivers, he urged them to take full advantage of Uganda’s free routine immunization services to protect their children from preventable diseases. He stressed that vaccination remains the most effective way to safeguard children’s health and well-being.
Dr. Nandy concluded by reaffirming UNICEF’s long-term commitment to working alongside the Ugandan government, Gavi, WHO, and development partners to reduce child mortality and ensure every child has access to essential immunization services.
The Minister for Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng received and flagged off over 2.1 million doses of the Malaria vaccine (out of 3.5 Million doses) for 105 districts with high and moderate Malaria across the country.
The vaccine will be introduced into the routine immunization schedule in April 2025 and will be administered to children under 2 years.
Everyday 10 children under 5 die due to Malaria. This vaccine is an added protection tool to the existing Malaria prevention measures to prevent children from severe Malaria and death.
