Sudan has launched its first-ever malaria vaccination programme, a significant step forward in the fight against the deadly disease despite the ongoing civil conflict that has plagued the country for the past 18 months. The new campaign aims to protect around 148,000 children under the age of 12 months across two states, Gedaref and Blue Nile.
This vaccination effort positions Sudan among the first 16 African countries to introduce the malaria vaccine, highlighting the importance of this initiative in the broader context of global health efforts.
The campaign is a joint effort led by Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with several global health organizations, including UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This partnership is vital, especially as the country continues to navigate the challenges of a prolonged and violent civil conflict that has displaced millions and severely strained the health system.
The malaria vaccine is being administered as part of an initial phase that targets 148,000 children in the two affected states. The first shipment of the vaccine, consisting of 186,000 doses, arrived in Sudan in October. This initial rollout will be conducted at 15 vaccination sites, with plans for further distribution across the country in the coming years. In 2025 and 2026, the vaccine will be introduced to 129 additional sites throughout Sudan, expanding the reach of the programme significantly.
Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death and illness in Sudan, as it does across much of sub-Saharan Africa. According to UNICEF, malaria kills nearly half a million children under the age of 5 each year in Africa, making it a top priority for global health organizations. In Sudan alone, more than 3.4 million malaria cases were reported in 2023, resulting in an estimated 7,900 deaths. However, the ongoing conflict in the country has disrupted the ability to collect accurate data, meaning that these figures are likely to be underreported. The breakdown in communication and infrastructure as a result of the war makes it difficult to track the true scale of the crisis.
The malaria vaccine is recommended for children aged five to 12 months, a critical age group for preventing hospitalizations and deaths due to malaria. The hope is that the vaccine will significantly reduce the number of child hospital admissions and fatalities associated with the disease. In a country where healthcare resources are severely limited due to the conflict, this vaccination programme is seen as a crucial tool to protect young children from a disease that is both preventable and treatable.
The war in Sudan has been catastrophic, displacing more than 14 million people, or about 30% of the country’s population. The conflict began in April 2023, following escalating tensions between the Sudanese military and its rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces. What began as a power struggle between these factions quickly spiraled into a full-scale war, with violence spreading from the capital, Khartoum, to various regions across the country. The human cost of this conflict has been staggering, and the impact on public health has been severe. The violence has destroyed infrastructure, disrupted the delivery of essential services, and displaced millions, exacerbating an already fragile healthcare system.
Despite these challenges, the launch of the malaria vaccination programme represents a beacon of hope for Sudan’s most vulnerable population—its children. The efforts of the Sudanese government and international health organizations to bring the malaria vaccine to Sudan are part of a broader initiative to improve public health outcomes in the country, even in the midst of conflict. The collaboration between Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the WHO, and Gavi reflects the global commitment to addressing the health needs of populations affected by war and instability.
The introduction of the malaria vaccine in Sudan is not only important for the immediate protection of children but also represents a long-term strategy for combating the disease. With plans to expand the vaccination programme to 129 sites by 2025, Sudan is taking significant steps towards achieving broader malaria control in the future. The malaria vaccine is considered one of the most promising tools in the fight against the disease, offering hope to millions of children who would otherwise be at risk.
In addition to the vaccine rollout, the global community is watching closely to see how the situation in Sudan develops, particularly with regard to the broader health implications of the ongoing conflict. The war has strained health systems and disrupted the delivery of services, not only for malaria but also for other diseases and health needs. The ongoing humanitarian crisis requires a concerted effort from both national and international organizations to ensure that the health of Sudan’s people, particularly its children, remains a priority.
As Sudan continues to struggle with the consequences of war, the rollout of the malaria vaccination programme serves as a testament to the resilience of the country’s healthcare system and the determination of its people to protect their most vulnerable.
While the challenges are immense, this vaccination effort provides a glimmer of hope for the future, offering a lifeline to children who are at risk of one of the deadliest diseases in the world. With continued support from global health organizations and the Sudanese government, it is hoped that the programme will not only reduce the burden of malaria but also help to strengthen Sudan’s healthcare system in the long term, even in the face of ongoing adversity.
