For many years, children in Africa have suffered from malaria, a disease that poses a significant threat to their health. Nine-month-old Kenfack, however, has managed to avoid it, which his mother, Mabel Djoumessi, attributes to the recent introduction of a malaria vaccine. “My other kids, who haven’t had the vaccine, often get sick,” she shared at Soa District Hospital. Since Cameroon became the first country to include the RTS,S malaria vaccine in its routine immunization efforts over two years ago, health professionals report a decrease in serious illness. In Cameroon—a country among the 11 that carry about 70% of the global malaria burden, according to the World Health Organization—malaria remains a predominant cause of hospital visits and admissions.
The nation faced approximately 7.6 million malaria cases and 11,700 fatalities in 2024. Yet, reports from Cameroon’s National Malaria Control Program indicate a decline in cases for 2025, with around 33,000 fewer reported than the previous year. Still, some experts urge caution in linking the decrease solely to the vaccine. “To determine the specific impact of malaria interventions, we need a model, and right now, there isn’t one available to measure the vaccine’s unique effect,” commented Dr. Bomba Amougou, head of prevention at the NMCP. Health workers are also concerned that not enough children are coming back for the crucial fourth dose, or booster shot, that the WHO deems vital for ensuring lasting immunity. This issue reflects a broader challenge facing multi-dose vaccines across Africa.
In a pilot program for a malaria vaccine spanning 158 districts in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, the coverage for the first dose—administered around six months of age—was about 80%. However, this figure dropped to 46% for the fourth dose, which is given between 22 and 24 months, according to a 2025 study published in the Malaria Journal. Researchers found that many children missed later doses primarily due to transportation costs, lack of reminders, inadequate follow-up, and other competing responsibilities like work or childcare. Despite these challenges, Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, believes these lower vaccination rates are merely “initial teething problems” and shouldn’t overshadow the importance of the vaccine. She added that efforts are ongoing towards developing a single-dose malaria vaccine.
