Ghana has launched a nationwide malaria vaccination program for children, becoming one of the first countries in Africa to roll out the WHO-approved malaria vaccine.
The program will:
- Vaccinate 1.5 million children over 2 years
- Target children aged 5-17 months
- Require 4 doses per child
- Prevent 30% of severe malaria cases
The Health Minister described this as a historic moment in Ghana's fight against malaria, which remains a leading cause of child mortality.
The vaccine will be administered alongside routine childhood immunizations at health centers across the country. Community health workers will conduct outreach to ensure high coverage in rural areas.
Ghana was selected as one of the pilot countries due to its strong immunization system and high malaria burden. The program is funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund.
