Despite an 18-month civil war, Sudan has launched its first malaria vaccination program, aiming to protect around 148,000 children under 12 months in Gedaref and Blue Nile states. Sudan joins 15 other African nations in introducing the vaccine.
The vaccine led by the Federal Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF, WHO, and Gav follows the October arrival of 186,000 vaccine doses. By 2025-2026, Sudan plans to expand the rollout to 129 sites nationwide.
Malaria remains a major threat in Africa, killing nearly half a million children under five annually. In 2023, Sudan reported an estimated 3.4 million malaria cases, resulting in approximately 7,900 deaths, though UNICEF warns of underreporting due to the conflict.
The vaccine is designed for children aged five to 12 months is expected to reduce hospitalizations and deaths. Meanwhile, Sudan’s ongoing war, which began in April 2023 due to escalating tensions between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has displaced over 14 million people, about 30% of the population.
