The innovative strategy involves administering the first three doses of the vaccine monthly throughout the year based on a child's age, followed by two additional doses delivered seasonally each May or June, just ahead of the country’s peak malaria transmission period. This alignment is designed to maximize protection when children are at highest risk, drawing on research — including studies conducted in Mali — showing greater impact with seasonal vaccine delivery. 

Initially, the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine will be rolled out across 19 priority districts in the regions of Kayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Ségou, and Sikasso, with 927,800 doses available for the program’s launch.  Mali’s need for new malaria interventions is pressing.

According to the 2024 WHO World Malaria Report, the country accounted for 3.1% of global malaria cases (8.15 million) and 2.4% of deaths (14,328) in 2023. Mali was also among the eight nations recording the largest increases in malaria cases between 2019 and 2023, with 1.4 million additional cases reported.  Speaking at the launch event, Mali’s Minister of Health, Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré, praised the collaborative efforts behind the vaccine’s introduction.

“The successful integration of the malaria vaccine into the Expanded Programme on Immunization is a challenge we must all embrace until it reaches full scale,” she said. “We are fully prepared to implement this vaccine to strengthen our fight against this devastating disease.”  The global malaria vaccination initiative is led by Gavi, which funds vaccine procurement, transportation, and rollout in collaboration with partners like UNICEF and WHO. Through Gavi’s co-financing model, countries like Mali are also contributing financially to their vaccination efforts. As Gavi prepares for its next strategic period from 2026 to 2030, securing continued funding remains critical to expanding access to malaria vaccines. 

Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, lauded Mali’s commitment: “With the malaria vaccine now deployed in 20 countries and over 24 million doses delivered, consistent investment is crucial to ensure this life-saving tool reaches every child who needs it. Gavi pledges its unwavering support in the fight against one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.”  UNICEF plays a pivotal role in ensuring vaccine availability and in supporting Mali's government and communities in promoting vaccine uptake.

“The introduction of the malaria vaccine marks a critical milestone for the children and people of Mali,” said Dr. Pierre Ngom, UNICEF Representative in Mali. “After 35 years of research, we finally have a powerful new tool to protect our children. UNICEF is working closely with communities to promote vaccination and counter misinformation through innovative digital tools like U-Report.”  WHO, which coordinated the pilot introduction of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, highlighted the vaccine’s impact. Between 2019 and 2023, more than two million children received the vaccine, leading to a 13% drop in mortality among eligible children.

“The malaria vaccine is one of the most consequential public health breakthroughs in recent times,” said Dr. Patrick Kabore, WHO Representative in Mali.  The new vaccine complements existing malaria control strategies in Mali, including insecticide-treated bed nets, seasonal chemoprevention, preventive treatments during pregnancy, and indoor insecticide spraying.  Mali’s launch comes just weeks after Uganda’s historic large-scale malaria vaccine rollout. Across Africa, over 24 million malaria vaccine doses have been delivered since 2023, reflecting a strong demand for new tools against one of the continent’s deadliest diseases.

Together, the 20 African countries now deploying malaria vaccines represent more than 70% of the global malaria burden.  Looking ahead, Gavi aims to help p