In a major step for child health, Sudan has begun its first malaria vaccination campaign, aiming to shield thousands of children from this deadly disease even as the country faces 18 months of civil conflict.
The Federal Ministry of Health working with UNICEF, WHO and Gavi together launched the vaccine on Monday making Sudan the first country in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region to benefit from this new protection against malaria. Malaria is a leading cause of childhood deaths in Sudan where the disease claimed about 7,900 lives in 2023. Due to ongoing conflict this toll could be even higher.
This campaign follows Sudan’s October receipt of its first 186,000 vaccine doses. Initially, the campaign will cover 15 health facilities in the states of Gedaref and Blue Nile reaching over 148,000 children under one year of age. In 2025 and 2026, the program will expand to 129 more local areas.
“Critical Tool in the Fight Against Child Mortality”
Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s Representative to Sudan expressed the significance of this initiative by saying, “The opportunity offered by the introduction of the vaccine into the national immunisation programme is enormous.”
Yett emphasized that the vaccine is a crucial new tool in efforts to reduce child deaths especially as Sudan’s ongoing conflict limits healthcare access.
Due to the violence over 11 million people have been forced from their homes and more than 70 percent of hospitals in conflict zones are closed. Once at an 85 percent coverage rate, Sudan’s vaccination rates have now dropped to about 50 percent. This reduced coverage combined with regular disease outbreaks leaves millions of unvaccinated children vulnerable to preventable diseases like malaria, cholera, measles and polio.
Strategic Rollout Plan for the Vaccine
Sudan’s Ministry of Health has outlined detailed plans to ensure the campaign’s success. These include training healthcare workers, raising community awareness and strengthening the cold chain system to keep vaccines safe.
Dr. Shible Sahbani, WHO’s Representative to Sudan emphasized WHO’s commitment to comprehensive malaria prevention.
“WHO continues to advocate for comprehensive malaria interventions, integrating the vaccine with other preventive measures,” Sahbani stated.
Anne Cronin, Gavi’s Senior Country Manager for Sudan highlighted the hope this vaccine represents by stating, “The introduction of the malaria vaccine not only represents a critical step forward in protecting the lives of countless children but also symbolises hope for a healthier future amidst adversity.”
This historic campaign brings vital health resources to Sudan’s children and offers hope for a healthier future, even during challenging times.