Juliet Jacob 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Ethiopia has become the first African country to deploy the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced on Friday.
The rollout marks a major milestone in the continent’s decades-long battle against malaria, a disease that still kills hundreds of thousands annually.
According to officials, Ethiopia is distributing 186,000 doses of the vaccine across 58 malaria-prone districts. The initiative is paired with insecticide-treated bed nets to maximise protection for children under five, the group most vulnerable to infection.
Director-General of the Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, hailed Ethiopia’s integrated approach. “By deploying the R21 vaccine alongside bed nets, Ethiopia is setting a powerful precedent for the continent,” he said. “This brings us one step closer to a malaria-free Africa.”
Ethiopia’s Health Minister, Dr Lia Tadesse, stressed that prevention remains the priority. “We’re not just treating malaria—we’re preventing it at the source, saving lives and strengthening our health system,” she said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) endorsed the R21 vaccine earlier this year, citing its affordability and high efficacy. Public health experts say Ethiopia’s example could inspire other African nations to accelerate malaria elimination strategies.
With malaria still accounting for nearly 200 million cases annually across Africa, Ethiopia’s leadership is being viewed as a turning point in global health.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim 
