11th Country Launches Malaria Vaccinations

The African country of Mozambique today reached an important milestone in malaria prevention by introducing the R21/Matrix-M™ vaccine. This innovative vaccine brings the number of African countries offering malaria vaccines to eleven.

This vaccination program is essential since malaria is endemic in Mozambique, with a prevalence of 32% in children.

Through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and co-financing from the Government of Mozambique, the country will vaccinate around 300,000 children through the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunization.

“The malaria vaccine, which is being rolled out initially in Zambezia today, is one of the latest approaches in the fight against the disease,” said Hon Dr Armindo Tiago, Minister of Health, in a press release on August 5, 2024.

“The choice of Zambezia as the launch site is due to the province's high burden of the disease. The vaccine will be administered in four doses to reduce the severe malaria illness and death.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that the malaria vaccine be administered in a 4-dose schedule, with the first dose covering children aged 6 to 11 months. A more extensive malaria vaccine rollout is expanding access to prevent additional disease.

Previously,  the R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine was launched in Côte d'Ivoire.

John Jacobs, Novavax Inc.'s President and CEO, said in a press release on July 15, 2024, ".... marks a breakthrough in the fight to protect vulnerable children against a leading cause of death across the region while reinforcing our mission to create innovative vaccines that improve public health."

As of August 6, 2024, malaria vaccines are not offered in the United States. However, the majority of travel-related malaria cases diagnosed in the U.S. originate from African travelers.