Sudan launches malaria vaccine campaign
Sudan Launches First Malaria Vaccination Campaign Amid Ongoing Conflict Sudan has begun its first malaria vaccination campaign amid its 18-month-long civil war, targeting 148,000 children under 12 months across 15 sites in Gedaref and Blue Nile states. The country is one of the first 16 African nations to roll out the malaria vaccine, a joint initiative by the Federal Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The campaign follows the arrival of 186,000 vaccine doses in October, with plans to expand the program to 129 sites by 2025 and 2026. Malaria remains a leading cause of death in Africa, with nearly half a million children under five dying annually from the disease, according to UNICEF. In 2023, Sudan reported more than 3.4 million malaria cases, with an estimated 7,900 deaths. However, the ongoing conflict has made accurate reporting difficult. The vaccine, recommended for children aged 5-12 months, aims to reduce hospital admissions and fatalities from malaria. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces, has displaced over 14 million people, or about 30% of the population, according to the UN.
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