Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
New evidence published in The Lancet and reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the RTS,S malaria vaccine significantly reduces deaths among young children in Africa. Introduced between 2019 and 2023 in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, the vaccine prevented about one in eight deaths among eligible children in real-world settings.
Malaria remains a leading cause of death among African children under five, with an estimated 438,000 fatalities in 2024 alone. WHO stated that expanding access to recommended malaria vaccines, including RTS,S and the newer R21 vaccine, could save tens of thousands of young lives each year if deployed at scale.
Health experts noted the vaccine is most effective when used alongside other control measures such as insecticide-treated bed nets, diagnostic testing, and timely treatment. The vaccine's four-dose schedule also helps strengthen routine immunization programs by integrating other childhood vaccines and interventions.
Despite sufficient vaccine supply and strong demand, WHO emphasized that financial constraints are a significant challenge for countries aiming to provide vaccines along with essential malaria prevention tools. The organization called on international partners to increase investments to sustain progress and extend benefits to vulnerable communities in Africa.
Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHO Director for Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, described the findings as strong evidence of malaria vaccines' potential to reduce child mortality. WHO is urging urgent investment to expand vaccine access as more African countries launch malaria vaccine programs.