In a significant step against malaria, 12 African countries will receive 18 million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine over the next two years.

The allocation prioritizes areas with the highest need, aiming to combat the leading cause of death on the continent. Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi have already administered the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, proving its safety and effectiveness in reducing severe malaria and child mortality.

The initial allocation will now expand immunization programs to include countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. The vaccine is expected to be rolled out starting in early 2024.