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All is set for the Government to roll out the newly approved malaria vaccine “RTS, S/ASO1” by mid-next year to curb the malaria disease burden that is putting a toll on the country’s health sector, Dr Ruth Aceng, the health minister has revealed.

If rolled out, Uganda will join her African sister countries such as Kenya, Ghana and Malawi who have been administering the vaccine in a schedule of four doses from around five months of age in selected districts as part of the pilot programme, known as the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP), since 2019.

Speaking during the launch of the Vaccine Last Mile Delivery Project, cold chain equipment and motorcycles to support the national immunization services and program at the ministry head office in Kampala on Thursday, November 23, Aceng confirmed that Uganda is in the final stages of the pilot program.

"Protecting Ugandans from more diseases is our contribution to the health sector and our pride as a country.

"We have increased protection against diseases from six to thirteen and now with the plan to roll out malaria vaccine in the coming year," Aceng said.

According to Aceng, Uganda loses about 14 people every day, due to malaria.

The rollout aims at alleviating the disease burden, focusing mainly on children residing in high-risk malaria zones across the country, according to Aceng.

Jane Ruth Aceng Minister of health and other officials cross checking one of the medical deep freezers donated to help store vaccines in rural areas. This was at the Ministry head offices in Kampala on November 23, 2023.

The health minister noted that the introduction of the new vaccine, which she says has taken over 30 years of research, marks a significant milestone in the country’s relentless efforts to curb the malaria pandemic.

"Uganda has been facing a tough battle against malaria for a while now. The disease keeps coming back and subsequently causing outbreaks across the country," the minister said.

The rollout aims at alleviating the disease burden, focusing mainly on children residing in high-risk malaria zones across the country, according to Aceng.

The minister noted that the introduction of the new vaccine, which she says has taken over 30 years of research, marks a significant milestone in the country’s relentless efforts to curb the malaria pandemic.

"Uganda has been facing a tough battle against malaria for a while now. The disease keeps coming back and subsequently causing outbreaks across the country," the minister said.

With priority on regions deeply affected by malaria, the vaccine’s deployment seeks to provide crucial protection to vulnerable children, potentially reducing the severity and frequency of infections.

Aceng notes that even though Uganda has been dealing with challenges like sudden outbreaks, this vaccine is a ray of hope. 

She said that it would be incorporated into the routine vaccination exercise for children.

Uganda is one of the countries with the world’s highest malaria incidence rate, with 478 cases per 1,000 population annually according to the Ministry of Health.

Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng flagging off refrigerated medical vans donated to National Medical Stores to help store vaccines in rural areas. This was at the Ministry head offices in Kampala on November 23, 2023.

The cheap malaria vaccine that can be produced on a massive scale has been recommended for use by the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat the disease. The vaccine has been developed by the University of Oxford and is only the second malaria vaccine to be developed.

Aceng expressed concern about what she called stagnation and coverage drops in the Routine Immunization Coverages. 

The minister, therefore, called upon stakeholders to Work together with lower local governments (sub-counties and parishes) to mobilize children for routine immunization.

"We have observed stagnation and coverage drops recently in the Routine Immunization Coverages. With the current capacity of the program and in collaboration with district local government, we are determined to move past over 95% coverage for most of the 13 antigens under Routine Immunization," Aceng said.

She added: "Adjust health facility routine immunization programs to ensure each child and community is planned for and reached with immunization services."

Swift responses

The Vaccine Last Mile Delivery Program is aimed at swift responses.

This means that the National Medical Stores will deliver vaccines to the lowest health facilities across the country as part of the efforts to increase immunization coverage to above 95%, according to the ministry.

At the same event, the ministry led by Minister Aceng received Cold Chain equipment worth sh1.2b from the Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Mastercard Foundation to strengthen the country's response against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Also, 200 motorcycles and four refrigerated vans, fully equipped with cold chain equipment procured by the World Bank were received. This, according to the ministry, will facilitate swift and efficient vaccine delivery, especially in hard-to-reach parts.

"I would like to thank our development partners for their readiness to support government programs. The investments in this program are heavy and would take a much longer time to be achieved through domestic financing. We as a government cherish this as a true partnership to be continued," Aceng said.

To Africa CDC, the handover symbolised their unwavering commitment to enhancing health security in Uganda, according to Marembo Takudzwa, Africa CDC national coordinator.

According to her, strengthening the cold chain system ensures that vaccines are stored effectively, aiding the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.

"It is a significant step towards enhancing the capacity of the Ministry of Health to ensure proper vaccine management, contributing to improved immunisation service delivery," Takudzwa said.

"This is the first in a series of support to Uganda and other African Union Member States as part of phase one of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods program. Very soon we shall be officially communicating about our support under phase two of the program."