Zambia Launches Malaria Vaccine to Protect Over Half Million Children

Lusaka, Zambia, 27 October 2025 – The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the malaria vaccine - R21/Matrix-M, as part of its Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), marking a historic milestone in the country’s fight against malaria. Over 500,000 children aged 6-8 months will be vaccinated in the months following the launch.

Malaria remains one of Zambia’s leading causes of illness and death, particularly among children under five years of age. In 2023 alone, malaria incidence among this age group rose to 523 cases per 1,000 population, according to the Trends of National Under-Five Malaria Cases and Incidence per 1,000 Population (Health Management Information System and Malaria Rapid Reporting System). The disease continues to contribute to high rates of anaemia, poor child development, and preventable deaths.

The vaccine will be rolled out in a phased approach, targeting 83 districts initially (79 high-burden and 4 moderate-burden). The remaining five moderate-transmission districts will be reached later, in the second phase planned for 2026. The selected vaccine will be given in a four-dose schedule: dose 1 at 6 months, dose 2 at 7 months, dose 3 at 8 months, and dose 4 at 18-23 months. 

“We are proud to be one of the countries rolling out the malaria vaccine nationwide. This vaccine gives us new hope as it is a powerful tool to protect our children and move closer to a malaria-free Zambia. However, let’s not forget that this vaccine comes to complement existing interventions such as insecticide-treated nets, indoor spraying, prompt diagnosis and treatment as well as prevention therapies in alignment with the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan and WHO recommendations,” said the Hon. Elijah Muchima, Minister of Health. 

Zambia will be the 24th country to introduce the malaria vaccine.  The country has already received 532,200 doses of the vaccine through UNICEF with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi). 

“The introduction of the malaria vaccine in Zambia is a landmark achievement for child health,” stated Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah, Representative, UNICEF Zambia. “By protecting about half a million children in the first phase, we are not only saving lives but also strengthening the foundation for a healthier and more resilient future. UNICEF is proud to support the Government of Zambia in this historic effort, ensuring that every child—no matter where they live—has access to life-saving vaccines and a chance to thrive.” UNICEF’s support included planning, cold chain readiness, vaccine procurement and distribution, capacity building and communication and social mobilization.

“Today marks a historic milestone in Zambia’s fight against malaria. The launch of the malaria vaccine is more than a medical intervention, it reflects our unwavering commitment to equity, innovation and saving lives. WHO remains steadfast in supporting Zambia in this transformative moment, as we move closer to a malaria-free generation,” said Dr Peter Clement Lasuba, WHO Representative to Zambia. 

The initiative is led by the Ministry of Health, through EPI and the National Malaria Elimination Centre (NMEC), with coordination from a Technical Working Group comprising WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, World Bank, USAID/PMI, Global Fund, CHAZ, CIDRZ, PATH, and other partners.

“Zambia joins 23 countries, a few weeks after Ethiopia, in rolling out the malaria vaccine, a game-changer for child health and malaria control. With Gavi’s support, this momentum must continue. To protect millions more children, we urgently need sustained investment. No child should be left behind,” said Jamilya Sherova, Gavi Senior Country Manager for Zambia.

Gavi is leading the rollout of malaria vaccines, working with countries and partners such as UNICEF and WHO to fund and deliver doses. Through Gavi’s unique co-financing model, countries, such as Zambia, increasingly contribute to the cost of their immunisation programmes, including malaria, as their economies grow.

The malaria vaccine rollout is one of the fastest in Gavi’s 25-year history, with 24 African countries already introducing it into routine immunisation programmes in just over two years Guinea-Bissau is expected to follow by the end of the year. 

The vaccine, available free of charge, will be delivered through health facilities, outreach services, and community-based approaches, ensuring no child is left behind. 

Zambia is accelerating malaria elimination with the new vaccine, complementing existing measures like Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) distribution, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), rapid diagnosis, and preventive care for pregnant women, alongside strengthened surveillance and community engagement.

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About the Partners:

Ministry of Health (MoH), Zambia

The Ministry of Health leads Zambia’s health agenda, working to provide equitable, accessible and quality health services to all Zambians.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate more than half the world’s children against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. The Vaccine Alliance brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. View the full list of donor governments and other leading organisations that fund Gavi’s work here.

Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has helped to immunise a whole generation – over 1.1 billion children – and prevented more than 18.8 million future deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 78 lower income countries. Gavi also plays a key role in improving global health security by supporting health systems as well as funding global stockpiles for Ebola, cholera, meningococcal and yellow fever vaccines. After two decades of progress, Gavi is now focused on protecting the next generation, above all the zero-dose children who have not received even a single vaccine shot. The Vaccine Alliance employs innovative finance and the latest technology – from drones to biometrics – to save lives, prevent outbreaks before they can spread and help countries on the road to self-sufficiency. Learn more at www.gavi.org and connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter).

UNICEF
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence.

WHO

Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere, can attain the highest level of health. WHO has been supporting the Government of Zambia since 1965.

For media inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:

Ministry of Health Zambia – Communications Lead | +260-976179942 | georgiamusonda@gmail.com

UNICEF Zambia – Communication Officer | +260-969100157 | mkawanu@unice.org 

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance – Media Relations Team | +41 76 424 85 03 | ekilonzo@gavi.org

WHO Zambia – External Relations Officer | +260-954386532 | serisk@who.int

Notes to Editors:

• Over 31 million doses have been delivered so far to 24 African countries, reflecting strong demand and country commitment to the vaccine.
• As of 18 September 2025, a total of 23 countries in Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo and Uganda) offer malaria vaccines as part of their childhood immunization programmes, and according to their national malaria control plans.
  • A total of 14 countries introduced the malaria vaccine for the first time in 2024 and 6 countries (Burundi, Uganda, Mali, Guinea, Togo, and Ethiopia) have thus far introduced in 2025. Ghana, Kenya and Malawi introduced in 2019 as part of the pilot programme.
• Why children, not adults? Children under the age of 5 are at the greatest risk of dying from malaria and account for more than 75% of the global deaths from the disease. Unlike adults, young children have not had the opportunity to develop partial immunity through years of exposure, making them particularly at risk.
• Malaria vaccine safety and effectiveness:
  • Both the RTSS/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M vaccines are prequalified and recommended by WHO to prevent malaria in children and are safe and effective.
  • In phase 3 clinical trials, both vaccines reduced malaria cases by more than half during the first year after vaccination, a period when children are at high risk of illness and death. A fourth dose given in the second year of life prolonged protection.
  • Both vaccines reduce malaria cases by about 75% when given seasonally in areas of highly seasonal transmission – where half of childhood malaria deaths occur.
  • The vaccines target P. falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite globally and the most prevalent in Africa.
  • More about the vaccine here: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/q-a-on-rts-s-malaria-vaccine