On 25 April 2024, six-month-old Zainab Conteh became the first child in Sierra Leone to receive the WHO-approved malaria vaccine, during the campaign launch at the State House in Freetown. This marked the beginning of a significant public health milestone in Sierra Leone's fight against malaria. Since the rollout commenced on April 12, 2024, over 17,572 children across 15 districts have been immunized. Over 1,500 teams were involved in vaccine administration, data management, risk communication, and safety management, ensuring a comprehensive and effective vaccination campaign.

Malaria remains a severe health challenge in Sierra Leone, particularly affecting rural areas where prevalence is nearly twice as high as in urban areas. The disease is responsible for 40.3% of outpatient consultations and 37.6% of hospital admissions, making it the leading cause of death and hospitalization in children under five, accounting for 20% of deaths in this age group, with over 27,000 deaths reported in 2021. Despite efforts to control malaria through diagnostic tests, anti-malarial treatments, and large-scale distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, malaria continues to be a major health burden.

To address this, the Ministry of Health launched the National Malaria Vaccine Introduction Program, which integrates the malaria vaccine into the routine vaccination schedule. The goal was to achieve 95% coverage in the first year, with 286,253 infants in 15 districts expected to receive three of the four doses of the vaccine. President Bio emphasized the need for commitment and solidarity in eradicating malaria, not just in Sierra Leone but across Africa and beyond.

Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, highlighted the importance of combining the malaria vaccine with other control measures such as indoor residual spraying, rapid diagnosis, and preventive treatment for pregnant women and young infants. This integrated approach aims to increase child survival rates and significantly reduce malaria incidence among the most vulnerable populations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has played a crucial role in supporting Sierra Leone's malaria vaccine rollout. WHO provided technical and financial assistance through the AMVIRA Program, helping the Ministry of Health develop a comprehensive malaria vaccine introduction plan and monitoring tools. WHO experts assisted in creating a dashboard to assess the country's readiness for vaccine introduction and to centralize field data.

Dr. Innocent B. Nuwagira, the WHO Country Representative, reaffirming WHO's continuous support, stated, "The successful rollout of the malaria vaccine, beginning with the vaccination of young Zainab Conteh, is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Health and our dedicated teams. This initiative not only protects the most vulnerable in our society but also brings us closer to a future where malaria is no longer a threat to our children. The WHO remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in this critical endeavor.”

The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and other partners, is committed to ensuring that every child under two years receives four doses of the malaria vaccine. Dr. Abdul Mac Falama, National Malaria Control Program Manager, announced plans to expand the vaccination program to cover the entire country and explore ways to include a broader age category of the under-five population.

The impact of malaria vaccination has been evident in other African countries. Over 2 million children have been vaccinated in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, resulting in a 13% reduction in all-cause mortality among vaccinated children and a significant decrease in severe malaria cases and hospital admissions.

As Sierra Leone endeavors to achieve its malaria control targets, WHO continues to provide vital support. The next steps involve expanding the vaccination program, ensuring comprehensive coverage, and integrating the vaccine with other malaria control measures. Continuous monitoring and strategic adjustments based on reliable data are essential to achieving the goal of reducing malaria incidence and improving child health outcomes in Sierra Leone.

Through these collaborative efforts, Sierra Leone aims to create a healthier future for its children, reducing the burden of malaria and improving the overall well-being of its youngest citizens.