The Ministry of Health has said their request for malaria vaccines has been approved by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) ahead of the planned rollout in 2025. Photo/shutterstock
President Museveni is expected to officially launch the free national malaria vaccination in Apac District on April 2 in the government’s renewed drive to reduce malaria-related hospitalisations and deaths.
With the three million doses secured — enough to protect at least 1.1 million children across 105 of Uganda’s 136 districts — this initiative, according to health experts, marks the largest-scale introduction of the malaria vaccine by any country to date.
Dr Jimmy Opigo, the head of the Ministry of Health’s malaria control programme, while addressing religious leaders on Wednesday in Kampala, said: “Our goal is to reach every child, but we had to prioritise. These 105 districts see the highest malaria mortality rates. Uganda has pushed hard, negotiating with funders, manufacturers, and the government, to secure this volume.”
Dr Richard Kabanda, the Commissioner for Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health, said most of the vaccines have been purchased by donors.
He added that expanding the vaccinations to the low-risk districts depends on how fast the government provides the money it promised to give. He didn’t reveal the amount the government is expected to provide.
“The high-risk and the model risk districts have been mainly funded by donors and Gavi,” Dr Kabanda said.
“So government was tasked to also make a commitment, and the commitment of government is yet to come through. We hope that in the next financial year for 2025/2026, the commitment of government will come through,” he added.
Information from the Ministry of Health indicates that Tooro, West Nile, Busoga, Bunyoro, North Buganda and Acholi contribute 60 percent of malaria deaths.
The ministry further reveals that there are about 16 malaria deaths daily in Uganda. But this number is lower than the average of 43 daily malaria deaths in Uganda, according to the 2024 World Malaria Report by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“The expectation is that even as we add the malaria vaccine, we are going to see another significant decline in the number of children who are dying,” notes Dr Rita Atugonza from the Vaccines and Immunisation Division at the Ministry of Health.
She said the other routine immunisations in the country have contributed to a significant decline in child mortality in the country.
Malaria vaccine safety
Ms Margaret Muhanga, the State minister for Primary Healthcare, appealed to the religious leaders to promote the vaccines to reduce the disease burden.
“I want to appeal to you (religious leaders), to go out there, send out the message that there is no way World Health Organisation (WHO) can roll out a vaccine that is harmful to society,” she said.
“If it happens at that level, we have our own doctors here. Our own scientists would check and know that it has no efficacy, and we won't allow it. We don't just allow in anything that one is for sure,” she added.
Dr Atugonza said like any other vaccines, the malaria vaccine has side effects such as “pain and swelling at the injection site, and some fever that subsides within three days.”
Archbishop Kaziimba speaks
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, appealed to Ugandans to embrace the vaccines.
“The introduction of the malaria vaccine and the continued provision of routine immunisation by the government of Uganda are gifts from God, tools placed in our hands, to protect our children and build healthier communities,” he said.
“Malaria has long been a heavy burden to our nation. It steals lives, drains resources, and keeps families in circles of suffering, yet over decades, scientific research, global collaboration, and the dedication of our own African researchers, we now have a new weapon in this fight: the malaria vaccine.
“This vaccine, alongside the 12 routine immunisations offered freely by the Ministry of Health, represents hope. It is a step toward a malaria-free Uganda by 2030, a vision we must all embrace,” he added.
Vaccine effectiveness
According to scientists, the vaccine works by triggering the body to produce antibodies that stop malaria parasites from reaching the liver, while also boosting T-cells (a type of body-protecting white blood cells) to destroy any infected liver cells, slowing the parasite’s growth inside the body.
“Children receiving this vaccine does not stop parents and caregivers from ensuring adherence to other preventive measures. The vaccine only stops severe form of malaria. As you are aware, many of our children when they get malaria, they really get hit hard. And we've ended up losing very many of them. So one can still get malaria but one may not be severely affected by malaria,” Dr Kabanda explained.
“So, the vaccine does not entirely stop an individual from getting the disease. But it works on addressing the severity forms. Most of our children who have died have been mainly due to the severe malaria,” he added.
Dr Kabanda said to maximise the benefits of the vaccine, the child should complete all three doses and also get a booster shot.
“So, at six months, at seven months and also at eight months. So, there's a space of only four weeks between the first vaccine upto the third vaccine. And then we shall also be giving the fourth dose at 18 months,” he added.
Dr Kabanda encouraged people to go for the free vaccines.
“So, basically, we are not going to run this into our usual campaign mode of going to schools and all that. It's going to be mainly at health facilities. The private sector is part of this campaign,” he said.
List of districts selected for malaria vaccine rollout
Region Districts
Busoga - Jinja, Jinja city, Iganga, Kaliro, Luuka, Mayuge, Bugiri, Bugweri, Namutumba, Kamuli,
Buyende and Namayingo
Bugisu - Sebei, Bukedi Tororo, Kibuku, Busia, Palisa, Butebo, Butaleja, Budaka, Sironko, Mbale, Mbale-City, and Manafwa
Teso - Soroti, Kumi, Bukedea, Ngora, Serere, Amuria, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Kalaki, and Kapelebyong
Karamoja - Amudat, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, Abim, Kotido, Karenga, and Kaabong
Acholi - Pader, Omoro, Nwoya, Lamwo, Kitgum, Gulu, Gulu City, Amuru, and Agago
West Nile - Arua, Arua City, Adjumani, Koboko, Madi Okollo, Maracha, Moyo, Nebbi, Obongi, Pakwach,
Terego, Yumbe, and Zombo
Lango - Oyam, Otuke, Lira City, Lira, Kwania, Apac, Kole, Dokolo, Amolatar and Alebtong
North Buganda - Buikwe, Kayunga, Kiboga, Luwero, Mityana, Mukono, and Nakasongola
South Buganda - Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Gomba, Kalungu, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Rakai, Ssembabule, and Kyotera
Bunyoro - Kiryandongo, Kikuube, and Buliisa
Rwenzori - Kyegegwa, Kitagwenda, Kasese, Kamwenge, and Bundibugyo
Ankole-Kigezi - Ibanda, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, Rubirizi, and Kanungu
HOW EACH REGION CONTRIBUTES TO MALARIA DEATHS
Tooro -12%
Busoga -11%
Bunyoro -11%
West Nile -11%
Busoga –11%
North Buganda -9%
Acholi -9%
Lango -7%
South Buganda -6%
Bugisu -5%
Teso -4%
Karamoja -4%
Ankole -4%
Kampala -3%
Bukedi -3%
Kigezi -1%
(Annual malaria death in Uganda is 5,840 according to MoH; Annual malaria death in Uganda is
15,000 according to 2024 WHO report).
Top 15 districts with highest malaria death
Hoima -135
Mbale -107
Nebbi -104
Kabarole -94
Kampala -92
Jinja -77
Gulu -69
Mubende -64
Kyenjojo -64
Kamuli -63
Masaka -62
Kitgum - 60
Lira -58
Kasese -54
Iganga -46
Source: MOH and WHO
