With leadership from the Ministry of Health and support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Dalberg, Burundi has officially integrated the lifesaving malaria vaccine into its routine immunization program. This milestone marks a crucial step in reducing malaria cases and protecting 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. This initiative follows the arrival of 544,000 malaria vaccine doses in January and the approval of the RTS,S malaria vaccine by ABREMA (Autorité Burundaise de Régulation des Médicaments à usage humain et des Aliments).

Malaria continues to be a significant public health challenge in Burundi and remains one of the country's top health priorities. The disease is endemic, with two annual peaks (April-May and June) leading to high transmission rates in certain districts. According to the latest data from the National Health Information System (SNIS), malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, with an incidence rate of 399.1 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2023. It is alarming that nearly half a million children under five die from malaria each year in Africa, highlighting the critical importance of this initiative in Burundi.

Analysis of health data showed that malaria accounted for 20.9% of medical consultations in 2023 and 59.4% of hospital deaths in 2021. In Burundi, children under five are the most vulnerable to malaria. Of the 4,857,556 malaria cases reported in 2023, 2,235,481 cases—46% of total malaria morbidity—were among children under five. As a key partner, UNICEF is committed to ensuring that every child, especially the most vulnerable, has access to this vital vaccine along with other essential health services, giving them a healthier start in life.

"Today marks a significant milestone as we introduce the malaria vaccine in Burundi. This initiative demonstrates our strong and unwavering commitment to malaria control through strategic, high-impact interventions and our shared determination to protect children’s lives. By prioritizing the reduction of malaria mortality among children under five, we are taking a crucial step toward ensuring a healthier and brighter future for the next generation. The introduction of this vaccine also brings us closer to a future where no child is lost to this preventable disease. We are paving the way for a malaria-free Burundi," said Dr. Lydwine Baradahana, Minister of Public Health and AIDS Prevention.

Commenting on the initiative, Mario Jimenez, Senior Country Manager for Burundi at Gavi, emphasized that the introduction of the malaria vaccine reflects the country’s strong commitment to public health. “Today, Burundi joins 17 other African nations in incorporating the malaria vaccine into routine immunization with Gavi’s support. Given the devastating impact of malaria, this milestone will save thousands of young lives, provide relief to families, and reduce the strain on the country’s healthcare system. Gavi remains committed to working alongside Burundi and its partners to ensure the success of this introduction and all other routine immunization programs in the country.”

“Every child has the right to grow up healthy and be protected from preventable diseases like malaria,” said France Bégin, UNICEF Representative in Burundi. “The introduction of the malaria vaccine marks a historic moment, bringing renewed hope to families across the country. UNICEF is proud to support this effort by ensuring vaccine availability, strengthening cold chain systems, and engaging communities to enhance awareness and acceptance of this life-saving intervention alongside the government’s efforts.”

“Malaria remains the leading cause of illness and death in Burundi, particularly among children. With existing government initiatives such as Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine chemoprevention, the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and indoor residual spraying—now complemented by the introduction of the malaria vaccine for children aged 6 to 18 months, as recommended by WHO—Burundi is making significant progress in the fight against malaria. I commend the government and extend my gratitude to all partners for their support in this critical effort,” said Dr. Xavier Crespin, WHO Representative in Burundi. “The integration of the malaria vaccine into Burundi’s routine immunization program marks a major public health achievement and reflects the resilience, dedication, and professionalism of the Ministry of Health and healthcare workers across the country. Their relentless efforts have ensured that lifesaving interventions reach every community, particularly the most vulnerable children. Evidence shows that this vaccine will significantly reduce malaria-related illness and deaths among children, making it a crucial step in safeguarding Burundi’s future generations. Dalberg is honored to have supported the Ministry of Health and the people of Burundi in reaching this milestone,” said Lillian Kidane, Africa Director at Dalberg.

In preparation for this rollout, Gavi, UNICEF, WHO, Dalberg, and other partners have worked alongside the Ministry of Health to facilitate the introduction, acceptance, and implementation of the malaria vaccine. This support has included developing vaccine deployment strategies, communication plans, and health worker training programs, as well as strengthening community engagement and ensuring adequate cold chain infrastructure. Notably, innovative learning tools—such as animated content and an offline app in the local language, Kirundi—were used to train healthcare workers effectively.

The malaria vaccine has proven to significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths, complementing a broader strategy to combat the disease through multiple interventions, including insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and effective case management. When combined with these proven malaria prevention measures—such as insecticide-treated nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention during peak transmission periods—countries can achieve a reduction of over 90% in clinical malaria cases in high-transmission areas.