• Malaria remains top child killer, with 523 cases per 1,000 under-fives

• Vaccine supports goal to cut malaria deaths and incidence by 2026
  

Zambia has added the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to its Expanded Programme on Immunization, UNICEF said in a statement on Tuesday, as the country steps up efforts to combat one of its leading causes of child mortality.

The first phase will vaccinate more than 500,000 children aged six to eight months across 83 districts, including 79 with a high malaria burden and four with a moderate burden. The remaining five districts will join a second rollout phase in 2026.

“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,” said Health Minister Elijah Muchima.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Zambian government, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other technical and financial partners.

Disease Burden and National Goals

Malaria remains endemic in Zambia and is a leading cause of illness and death, especially among children under five.

 In 2023, malaria incidence in this age group reached 523 cases per 1,000 population, according to national data.

Under its 2022–2026 National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan, the government aims to achieve 95% coverage of malaria control interventions, cut incidence to 201 cases per 1,000, and reduce malaria deaths to 4.7 per 100,000 people by 2026.

Zambia becomes the 24th African country to integrate the R21/Matrix-M vaccine into its national immunization schedule.

The vaccine complements existing malaria control measures such as insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, rapid diagnostic testing, and preventive therapies.

Ingrid Haffiny