Malaria kills lots of Ugandan kids. Every day, 6,500 children catch it, and 10 die. Doctors worry about severe cases rising among little ones, who often face brain damage, kidney problems, and breathing troubles.
Dr. Sabrina Kitaka from Makerere University says children under five face the biggest danger, along with pregnant women and travelers from areas without malaria. She works at Mulago Hospital, where about 20 percent of kids admitted have malaria, and half of those cases turn severe.
Out of every 10 patients with fever seen as outpatients, 6 test positive for malaria. Her ward typically holds 52 patients but swells to 60 on busy days. Severe malaria brings high parasite counts, major fevers, seizures, and kidney damage.
Uganda just received 2.278 million vaccine doses worth $8.88 million from Gavi through UNICEF. Starting in April 2025, these will be given to 105 districts through regular childhood shots. Areas with moderate and high malaria rates will receive them first.
Kids need four doses - at six, seven, eight, and eighteen months old. Dr. Kitaka calls the vaccine crucial since babies cannot protect themselves from mosquitoes. Parents might forget nets, but vaccines offer reliable protection against serious illness.
Dr. Jane Irene Nabakooza explains that children lose maternal immunity around six months, leaving them defenseless until they build their protection through repeated exposures. They suffer more frequent and worse infections than adults.
The vaccine blocks parasites from infecting the liver, stopping them before they mature and attack red blood cells. This prevents severe disease that causes death. Children can still catch mild malaria but won't develop life-threatening cases.
Starting in April, babies 6-11 months qualify for first doses. All children must complete all four shots for full benefit. Buganda Kingdom leader Charles Peter Mayiga strongly supports vaccination: "Health matters because building Buganda requires healthy citizens. Malaria affects most homes and kills many people constantly across Uganda."
Dr. Sabrina Kitaka from Makerere University says children under five face the biggest danger, along with pregnant women and travelers from areas without malaria. She works at Mulago Hospital, where about 20 percent of kids admitted have malaria, and half of those cases turn severe.
Out of every 10 patients with fever seen as outpatients, 6 test positive for malaria. Her ward typically holds 52 patients but swells to 60 on busy days. Severe malaria brings high parasite counts, major fevers, seizures, and kidney damage.
Uganda just received 2.278 million vaccine doses worth $8.88 million from Gavi through UNICEF. Starting in April 2025, these will be given to 105 districts through regular childhood shots. Areas with moderate and high malaria rates will receive them first.
Kids need four doses - at six, seven, eight, and eighteen months old. Dr. Kitaka calls the vaccine crucial since babies cannot protect themselves from mosquitoes. Parents might forget nets, but vaccines offer reliable protection against serious illness.
Dr. Jane Irene Nabakooza explains that children lose maternal immunity around six months, leaving them defenseless until they build their protection through repeated exposures. They suffer more frequent and worse infections than adults.
The vaccine blocks parasites from infecting the liver, stopping them before they mature and attack red blood cells. This prevents severe disease that causes death. Children can still catch mild malaria but won't develop life-threatening cases.
Starting in April, babies 6-11 months qualify for first doses. All children must complete all four shots for full benefit. Buganda Kingdom leader Charles Peter Mayiga strongly supports vaccination: "Health matters because building Buganda requires healthy citizens. Malaria affects most homes and kills many people constantly across Uganda."
