Burkina Faso

Mosquito on human hand

Burkina Faso’s malaria vaccine rollout cuts cases 32%, deaths 44%

Malaria has killed more people in Burkina Faso than almost any other disease, hitting children under five hardest. The country’s malaria vaccine rollout, scaled to all 70 health districts by mid-2025, helped drive a historic single-year decline: total cases fell from over 10.8 million to 7.3 million, while deaths dropped 44%. Still, 7.3 million cases in one year remains an enormous toll, and whether the pace holds amid funding pressures is far from settled.

Hand holding a vial and syringe, for article on malaria vaccine rollout

Twelve African countries will receive 18 million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine

Malaria vaccines are heading to twelve African countries for the first time, with 18 million doses of RTS,S/AS01 set to roll out between 2023 and 2025. Nine nations are introducing the shot into routine childhood immunization, joining Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, where more than 1.7 million children have already been vaccinated since 2019. The pilot countries have seen severe malaria cases and child deaths decline, and families are showing up eager for their children to be protected. After a century of scientific struggle against one of humanity’s deadliest diseases, this rollout marks a turning point — proof that patient global collaboration can deliver lifesaving tools to the children who need them most.