A Breakthrough in the Fight Against a Familiar Threat

In Burkina Faso, malaria cases and deaths have dropped sharply following the rollout of a new vaccine, offering families renewed protection against one of the country’s most persistent diseases.

“The vaccine has further strengthened the fight against the disease,” said Boubakaré Sawadogo, Head Nurse at a local health centre in Ouagadougou.

Between 2024 and 2025, malaria cases fell by 32% and deaths by 44%, with even larger declines among children under 5. The vaccine — introduced as part of routine immunisation — works alongside mosquito nets, seasonal prevention treatments and improved access to care. More than just a health breakthrough, families report fewer hospital visits and lower medical costs, showing how coordinated prevention can turn the tide against a disease long seen as unavoidable.