Should Malaria Vaccines be Offered in the U.S.

According to the U.S. government, malaria was eliminated from the United States in 1951, and almost all recent cases in the U.S. have been travel-associated.

As of the week ending October 19, 2024 (#42), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 1,576 travel-related malaria cases this year.

Most malaria cases are confirmed in New York, Florida, California, and Texas.

These cases were associated with travel to 85 countries where malaria remains endemic, such as Africa, and could represent a potential source of Plasmodium infection for locally acquired mosquito-transmitted cases in the U.S.

On October 24, 2024, the CDC reported (73(42);946–949) ten local malaria cases from May to September 2023. In Florida, seven locally acquired malaria cases were reported near Sarasota in 2023.

The CDC says that before traveling internationally to areas where malaria is endemic, travelers should consult with their healthcare provider regarding recommended malaria prevention measures to reduce personal and community risks.

While two malaria vaccines are WHO-recommended, neither are available in the U.S. in 2024.