New milestone as Togo launches malaria vaccine nationwide
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Togo has begun distributing the malaria vaccine to children under five, in a major turning point in the country’s efforts to reduce child mortality from the disease.
On 1 September, Togo began nationwide distribution of the malaria vaccine, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to reduce child mortality from the disease. Targeting children under five, the group most at risk of severe illness and death, the rollout is being integrated into the country’s routine immunisation schedule. The goal is to vaccinate 269,000 children annually.
“The nationwide launch of the malaria vaccine is a turning point for Togo and a crucial step forward in our fight against this deadly disease,” says Komivi Tongon, Country Director, Malaria Consortium Togo. “For decades, malaria has taken the lives of too many of our children. Malaria Consortium is proud to support the Ministry of Health in this rollout, working hand in hand with communities to strengthen confidence in the vaccine and ensure equitable access across all regions of the country.”
The launch event took place on 4 September in Sokodé, and representatives from Malaria Consortium, including Komivi, were in attendance.
Caption: The press conference for the launch of malaria vaccine at the headquarter of the Ministry of Health in Togo
Malaria remains a serious public health concern in Togo, where transmission is year-round with peaks during the rainy season. In 2023, Togo recorded 2.37 million cases and almost 1,300 deaths due to malaria. Togo now joins 19 other countries in Africa who have already begun offering malaria vaccines as part of their childhood immunisation programmes.
This new intervention will complement Togo’s existing prevention and control measures, including insecticide-treated nets, seasonal malaria chemoprevention and free injectable artesunate, a life-saving treatment for severe malaria.
In preparation for the rollout, the Ministry of Health’s Immunisation Division convened a strategic workshop in Sokodé with stakeholders from all six health regions to develop a coordinated communication strategy focused on promoting vaccine uptake and preventing the spread of misinformation.
“Malaria still kills many children, especially those under five. Today, we have a vaccine that can save them. It is therefore essential that we speak with one voice to spread the same messages in all communities,” says Ms Téna Kanma Nanah, Chief of the Communications Section at the Immunisation Division.
Malaria Consortium was represented at the workshop by Dr Aflagah Kodjo, Country Technical Coordinator at Malaria Consortium Togo. As part of its role in supporting the rollout, the organisation will work closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to strengthen community adherence, build vaccine confidence and ensure equitable access, particularly in remote and high-burden areas.
The proactive approach draws on lessons from the recent HPV vaccination campaign in all regions in Togo, which faced challenges due to misinformation, resulting in low coverage in some regions. Encouraging community acceptance is crucial for ensuring the successful uptake of the vaccine, as Malaria Consortium has found in other countries in which it operates where it is supporting integrated vaccination campaigns, most recently in Uganda.
The government aims to ensure that at least 90 percent of parents of eligible children receive accurate information about the vaccine and have their children vaccinated on schedule. Community leaders, traditional and religious figures, teachers, journalists and civil society groups will be key partners in mobilising support.
The introduction of the malaria vaccine represents a critical step towards reducing malaria-related deaths in Togo and contributes to global targets for malaria control and elimination. By combining this new tool with existing interventions, Togo is prepared to make substantial progress in protecting its children from one of the country’s deadliest diseases.