Uganda's Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng told reporters Friday that the malaria vaccine works well and keeps people safe. She wants everyone to know this as Uganda adds the vaccine to regular shots for kids starting April 2. She spoke in Kampala about how scientists spent many years creating this vaccine, and African researchers helped develop it from the start. Aceng needed to address some people who questioned whether the vaccine really works over time.
The World Health Organization approved this vaccine after careful testing. In 2022, they okayed the RTS, S version because it stops severe malaria in young children. Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi gave these shots to kids through their national programs. Then, in 2023, the WHO approved another type called R21 that prevents bad malaria cases and deaths in children under five. Both vaccines passed safety checks and work very well, according to Aceng.
Doctors have already given more than 6 million shots to about 2 million children without problems. When they tried the vaccine in Ghana, Kenya, and Malaria, child deaths went down by 13 percent. Far fewer kids needed hospital care for serious malaria. The vaccine aims to protect children under 5 years old from the worst kinds of malaria. Babies between 6 and 18 months old can receive it. Uganda plans to focus first on 107 areas where malaria spreads most easily.
Aceng asked parents to make sure their children aged 6 months get every dose needed for full protection. She reminded everyone that vaccines help prevent many diseases, not just malaria. Health centers provide these vaccines free of charge. Malaria remains a huge health problem in Uganda today. The country ranks among 11 nations that make up 70% of world malaria cases. During 2024 alone, Uganda counted 10.9 million malaria cases with 3,582 deaths.
The World Malaria Report 2023 puts Uganda third highest for malaria cases globally and seventh for malaria deaths. Every day, malaria kills 16 people in Uganda - ten of them children under five years old. Malaria fills 30-40% of doctor visits, takes up 20% of hospital beds, and causes 10% of all hospital deaths. Young children face the biggest risk, especially those under five. Pregnant women, people with sickle cell disease, those with weak immune systems, and travelers also face higher danger from malaria.
The World Health Organization approved this vaccine after careful testing. In 2022, they okayed the RTS, S version because it stops severe malaria in young children. Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi gave these shots to kids through their national programs. Then, in 2023, the WHO approved another type called R21 that prevents bad malaria cases and deaths in children under five. Both vaccines passed safety checks and work very well, according to Aceng.
Doctors have already given more than 6 million shots to about 2 million children without problems. When they tried the vaccine in Ghana, Kenya, and Malaria, child deaths went down by 13 percent. Far fewer kids needed hospital care for serious malaria. The vaccine aims to protect children under 5 years old from the worst kinds of malaria. Babies between 6 and 18 months old can receive it. Uganda plans to focus first on 107 areas where malaria spreads most easily.
Aceng asked parents to make sure their children aged 6 months get every dose needed for full protection. She reminded everyone that vaccines help prevent many diseases, not just malaria. Health centers provide these vaccines free of charge. Malaria remains a huge health problem in Uganda today. The country ranks among 11 nations that make up 70% of world malaria cases. During 2024 alone, Uganda counted 10.9 million malaria cases with 3,582 deaths.
The World Malaria Report 2023 puts Uganda third highest for malaria cases globally and seventh for malaria deaths. Every day, malaria kills 16 people in Uganda - ten of them children under five years old. Malaria fills 30-40% of doctor visits, takes up 20% of hospital beds, and causes 10% of all hospital deaths. Young children face the biggest risk, especially those under five. Pregnant women, people with sickle cell disease, those with weak immune systems, and travelers also face higher danger from malaria.
