Uganda starts giving malaria shots to babies as part of a major health campaign. The government wants to make these vaccines required for children entering nursery school. Mothers across the country feel hopeful about protecting their children from the deadly disease. The shots help stop malaria parasites from reaching the liver where they multiply. Officials believe this new approach will save thousands of young lives each year.
Malaria kills 16 people daily across Uganda and 10 of them are children under age five. The disease causes 40 percent of hospital visits and 25 percent of hospital stays nationwide. Families spend about 15,000 shillings treating each severe malaria case. The vaccine costs much less than repeated treatments for sick children. Health workers expect to reduce serious malaria cases by 30 percent.
Kiboga district has already vaccinated 2,219 babies since April 2025. The area reached 58 percent of target children between six and 11 months old. Some communities resist the vaccine because of religious beliefs or false information. Health officials monitor side effects like fever and pain after each shot. Workers continue educating families about vaccine benefits.
The national program targets 105 districts with over 2.3 million vaccine doses. International groups like WHO, GAVI, UNICEF and AMREF support the effort. Children receive four shots at ages six, seven, eight and 18 months. The campaign represents Africa's largest malaria vaccine rollout ever attempted. Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng calls the program a game changer for child survival.
Malaria kills 16 people daily across Uganda and 10 of them are children under age five. The disease causes 40 percent of hospital visits and 25 percent of hospital stays nationwide. Families spend about 15,000 shillings treating each severe malaria case. The vaccine costs much less than repeated treatments for sick children. Health workers expect to reduce serious malaria cases by 30 percent.
Kiboga district has already vaccinated 2,219 babies since April 2025. The area reached 58 percent of target children between six and 11 months old. Some communities resist the vaccine because of religious beliefs or false information. Health officials monitor side effects like fever and pain after each shot. Workers continue educating families about vaccine benefits.
The national program targets 105 districts with over 2.3 million vaccine doses. International groups like WHO, GAVI, UNICEF and AMREF support the effort. Children receive four shots at ages six, seven, eight and 18 months. The campaign represents Africa's largest malaria vaccine rollout ever attempted. Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng calls the program a game changer for child survival.
