Sudan has begun implementing precautionary measures against the significant threat of malaria in the region, despite an ongoing conflict that has continued for the past 18 months.
Reports indicate that the nation’s health ministry will begin distributing vaccines to approximately 148,000 children under 12 months of age in 15 locations within Gedaref and Blue Nile states.
Sudan is among the first 16 African countries to introduce the malaria vaccine.
The campaign is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health in partnership with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
This launch follows the arrival of the initial shipment of 186,000 malaria vaccine doses in October.
The vaccine is scheduled for broader introduction across 129 sites in the country in 2025 and 2026.
Recommended for children aged five to 12 months, the vaccine is anticipated to reduce child hospital admissions and mortality from the disease.
In 2023, more than 3.4 million malaria cases were estimated in Sudan, with an estimated 7,900 deaths. However, UNICEF warns that these figures are likely underreported due to the ongoing conflict and communication challenges in the country.
