The Ministry of Health will next commence a malaria vaccination exercise targeting about 2,100 eligible children in Kalabo district.
The children to be vaccinated are those between the ages of six and eight months old.
Malaria Elimination Officer, MWALA MONDE, said the malaria vaccine is safe, effective and capable of disrupting the vector incubation cycle.
Mr MONDE said during a stakeholder engagement meeting that vaccines have already been dispatched to all health facilities across the district in readiness for the vaccination campaign which starts on 27th October, 2025 and ends on 2nd November, 2025.
“The malaria vaccine will save a lot of lives. This vaccine has been recommended by the World Health Organisation for administration in areas facing moderate and high malaria incidence rates,” he explained.
Kalabo district qualifies for the administration of the malaria vaccine as it recorded 483 malaria incidence cases per 1,000 population in 2024 and 476 cases per 1,000 population so far in 2025.
He stressed that an eligible child would only be fully vaccinated against malaria after receiving four jabs.
“While the inaugural first dose under the vaccination campaign targets children aged between 6 to 8 months, the vaccine would be a routine intervention among children at the attainment of 6 months of age,” Mr MONDE said.
He however stated that a fully vaccinated person can still contract malaria but without severe illness which could result in health complications and death.
Mr MONDE explained that malaria ranks as the first cause of visitations to health facilities among children below the age of five years in the district hence the need for a multisectoral approach such as vaccination in order to complement other existing vector control interventions.
“Malaria kills but it is preventable. In terms of the malaria vaccine, eligible children need all four doses for full protection. Further, even vaccinated persons must continue to sleep under an insecticide treated mosquito net.
Speaking earlier, Kalabo District Administrative Officer, MUYUNDA MUNALULA, implored community leaders to support the malaria vaccination strategy by sensitising communities and dispelling any myths which could be associated with drug administration.
Ms MUNALULA has since thanked the government for introducing the malaria vaccine.
