RTS,S Malaria Vaccine Significantly Reduces Child Mortality in Africa

A study published in The Lancet on May 9, 2026, indicates that the integration of the RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine into routine immunization programs is associated with a significant reduction in mortality among young children.

The research found that the vaccine averted about one in eight deaths in the studied populations.

These reductions in child mortality were observed in areas characterized by moderate coverage of the first three doses of the vaccine, even in regions where there was low uptake of the fourth dose.

The findings are based on an observational evaluation of a cluster-randomised implementation programme conducted in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.

Malaria continues to be a leading cause of child mortality across Africa, making the deployment of effective preventive measures a critical public health priority.

The results of this evaluation highlight the urgency of accelerating the deployment of malaria vaccines in African regions where the disease remains a primary driver of childhood death.