Chad Launches Ambitious Triple Vaccine Rollout, Including First Malaria Vaccine for Millions of Children
In a milestone effort to enhance child health across Chad, the country has launched a groundbreaking triple vaccine rollout, featuring the WHO-recommended R21 malaria vaccine alongside PCV13 pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines. This ambitious campaign aims to safeguard the health of 19.7 million children aged between six months and five years, marking a significant advance in Chad's public health mission.
This initiative is bolstered by partnerships with key global health organizations, including WHO, GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance), UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation, which are jointly supporting the rollout with 157,900 doses of the R21 vaccine. The malaria vaccine will be administered to 168,522 children between six and 15 months old across 28 priority districts, marking Chad’s first significant foray into malaria immunization and expanding access to the vaccine across the African continent.
“This is a very important day for Chad and its children. Malaria vaccines are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control, and the scale-up of accessibility in Africa will save tens of thousands of young lives every year,” remarked Dr. Anya Blanche-Philomene Malanga, WHO Representative in Chad.
Chad’s high incidence of malaria has placed immense strain on the country’s health system. In 2023 alone, approximately 1.75 million malaria cases were recorded, 36.4% of which affected children under five. Malaria accounted for 43% of medical consultations, 36% of hospitalizations, and 30% of hospital-related deaths, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive preventive measures.
In preparation for the triple vaccine rollout, WHO’s Accelerating Malaria Vaccine Introduction and Roll-out in Africa initiative provided extensive support, including specialized training for healthcare workers and a strategic multi-channel communication campaign to raise awareness among Chad’s communities. Dr. Abdelmadjid Abderahim Mahamat, Chad’s Minister of Health, is leading an inter-agency coordination committee to oversee the rollout’s implementation, aligning it with the National Development Plan.
The initiative builds upon the success of the first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, introduced as a pilot in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi in 2019. WHO reports that the RTS,S pilot programs significantly reduced child deaths and expanded access to malaria prevention in these countries.
This historic effort reflects a renewed focus on malaria prevention, driven by high-level political support and strong community demand for vaccines, providing renewed hope that these interventions will bring lasting health benefits for millions of children across Chad and beyond.