HomeNewsAlmost one million doses of Malaria vaccine shipped to Mali for the first time: A joint effort by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, and GAVI

Almost one million doses of Malaria vaccine shipped to Mali for the first time: A joint effort by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, and GAVI

Unicef - In a historic milestone for public and child health in Mali, nearly one million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine have arrived in the country, marking a significant step forward in the fight against this deadly disease.

Published: 17 March 2025 12:01

The shipment, facilitated by UNICEF with financial support from GAVI, aims to protect children and reduce the burden of malaria, which remains one of the leading causes of infant and child mortality in the region.

Malaria continues to pose a major public health threat in Mali, ranking the country among the 11 nations with the highest malaria burden. According to the 2021 Malaria Indicators Survey, the national malaria prevalence was 19 percent, with alarming rates in the regions of Mopti (27%), Sikasso (26%), Ségou (26%), Koulikoro (23%), and Kayes (12%). In 2024 alone, malaria accounted for 38% of morbidity, with over 3.4 million confirmed cases, including 1.1 million severe cases and nearly 1,500 deaths among children and adults.