Maputo, Mozambique (5 August 2024) – Mozambique today marked a significant milestone in its fight against malaria with the introduction of the R21 injectable malaria vaccine in Zambezia Province. This initiative places Mozambique among over 20 African countries leading the charge in 2024 to integrate this life-saving vaccine into routine immunization programs.
The R21 vaccine will be administered in four doses to children aged 6-23 months (about 2 years) across all 22 districts of Zambezia. Zambezia province is characterized by high malaria transmission rates and is particularly vulnerable to the disease, making children especially susceptible to severe illness and death.
Speaking at the launch of the malaria vaccine in Quelimane, Zambezia Province, Minister of Health Armindo Daniel Tiago said, “Launching the malaria vaccine in Zambezia is a crucial step in our fight against this disease. It will provide valuable insights into how we can best roll out this life-saving intervention across the country.” He further emphasized, “Vaccination is the most successful and cost-effective public health intervention and it remains a top priority for the Government of Mozambique.”
Aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and considering the vaccine’s current supply, Mozambique has adopted a phased introduction plan. Following Zambezia, the vaccine will be expanded to other provinces with high malaria burdens in 2025: Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Tete, Inhambane, Manica, Sofala and nine districts of Gaza.
Collaboration is Key
The vaccine will be integrated into routine immunization services and delivered through mobile brigades. This collaborative effort involves key partners from the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and the National Malaria Control Program (PNCM) at all levels.
VillageReach has been a critical partner in preparing for the introduction of the vaccine. It has contributed significantly by developing and implementing a robust Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan; providing technical expertise in program planning, implementation, and vaccine logistics; supporting subnational introduction planning; and conducting a comprehensive Behavior and Social Drivers (BeSD) survey. These efforts are essential for ensuring a successful vaccine rollout, including continuous progress tracking, documentation of lessons learned and informing the national scale-up strategy.
A Multifaceted Approach
The R21 vaccine complements existing malaria prevention measures, including insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) for pregnant women and indoor residual spraying (IRS). Approved by the WHO in October 2023 following its development in the United Kingdom, the R21 vaccine offers new hope in the global battle against malaria.
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About VillageReach
VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone. We are driven by a vision of a world where each person has the health care needed to thrive. VillageReach works with governments, the private sector, partners and communities to build responsive primary health care systems that deliver health products, information and services to the most-under-reached. As a locally driven and globally connected organization working across Africa, VillageReach’s primary goal is to reduce inequities in access to quality primary health care for 350 million people by 2030.