Burundi integrates Malaria vaccine into national immunization schedule

BURUNDI—Burundi has taken a significant step in combating malaria by introducing the RTS,S malaria vaccine into its routine immunization program.

This initiative, led by the Ministry of Health with support from Gavi, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Dalberg, aims to reduce malaria cases and save thousands of children’s lives.

The launch event took place in Mpanda District and was attended by Burundi’s First Lady, Her Excellency Angeline Ndayishimiye.

The introduction follows the arrival of 544,000 vaccine doses in January 2025 and the vaccine’s approval by Burundi’s regulatory authority, ABREMA.

Malaria remains one of Burundi’s top public health challenges, with high transmission peaks during April-May and June.

In 2023 alone, there were 4.8 million reported malaria cases, nearly half of which affected children under five.

This age group is particularly vulnerable, accounting for 46% of malaria morbidity and a significant proportion of hospital deaths.

The introduction of the malaria vaccine complements existing strategies such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying, and seasonal chemoprevention.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Lydwine Baradahana, Minister of Public Health and AIDS Prevention, highlighted that this initiative demonstrates Burundi’s strong commitment to reducing child mortality and ensuring a healthier future for its population.

She emphasized that this milestone brings the country closer to eliminating preventable child deaths caused by malaria.

Mario Jimenez, Gavi’s Senior Country Manager for Burundi, noted that this development places Burundi among 17 African countries integrating the malaria vaccine into routine immunization programs with Gavi’s support.

 He stressed that this initiative will save thousands of lives, ease the burden on families, and strengthen the healthcare system.

Similarly, UNICEF Representative France Bégin underscored the historic nature of this step and reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting vaccine availability and community engagement.

WHO Representative Dr. Xavier Crespin praised Burundi’s comprehensive approach to malaria control and noted that introducing the vaccine for children aged 6-11 months aligns with WHO recommendations.

He added that this initiative builds on existing measures like chemoprevention and mosquito net distribution

Dalberg’s Africa Director, Lillian Kidane, commended the resilience and dedication of health professionals in ensuring lifesaving interventions reach vulnerable communities.

She emphasized that evidence shows the vaccine significantly reduces malaria-related illness and deaths among children.

To ensure successful implementation, partners have supported Burundi in preparing health workers through innovative tools like animated content and offline apps in Kirundi.

The vaccine complements existing measures such as insecticide-treated nets and seasonal chemoprevention.

Studies show that combining these strategies can reduce clinical malaria cases by over 90% in high-transmission areas.

This initiative marks a critical milestone in Burundi’s fight against malaria and reflects a broader regional effort to combat one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.

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