The fight against malaria in Côte d’Ivoire comes up a gear. Vaccination launched in 2024 is now available in the country’s 113 health districts. And that since July 15, 2025.
This is a major step in the fight against the first cause of infant mortality in Côte d’Ivoire.
A rise in power a year after its launch
The R21/Matrix-M vaccine has existed in the extended vaccination program (PEV) for a year.
First of all, on the trial, health workers administered it in 38 health districts. The first target was 250,000 children aged 0 to 23 months.
Thanks to the support of international partners, Côte d’Ivoire then received more than 656,000 doses.
Today, vaccination covers 75 new districts, bringing national coverage 100%.
The operation, launched in N’Zianouan, aims at 420,000 additional children, with a calendar of four doses administered to 6, 8, 9 and 15 months.
A free and complementary tool to save lives
“The vaccine is free, it does not replace the mosquito nets or the treatments, but comes to strengthen them,” recalls the Minister of Health, Pierre Dimba.
He also invites families to go to health centers.
In one year, more than 650,000 children have already been vaccinated.
According to PEV coordinating director Raymond Gbotto Brou, the vaccine is 98%effective. This product saved up to 30% of children threatened by malaria.
Read also: health, what the malaria vaccine will change
With him, Côte d’Ivoire wants to reduce cases and deaths linked to malaria by 75% by 2026.
Still huge victims in children
Malaria remains the main cause of infant mortality in Côte d’Ivoire.
In 2023, the country recorded 1,485 victims, 5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, and remains the first reason for consultation.
Among children under the age of 5, the incidence reached 992 cases for 1,000, against 269 in the general population.
A global strategy for elimination
Beyond vaccination, Ivorian strategy is based on prevention and fast management.
The National Program for the Fight against Malaria (PNLP) also focuses on the distribution of impregnated mosquito nets.
It also consists in doing intra-domiciliary spraying in the most affected areas, and community awareness.
Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease is raging in 96 countries. Côte d’Ivoire maintains its objective which is to eliminate the disease by 2030.
Eirena Etté