World
Global Health
WHO: Malaria Vaccine RTS,S Cuts Child Deaths in Routine African Rollouts
WHO said on 8 May 2026 that real-world data confirm the malaria vaccine cuts child deaths, not only in trials. A Lancet evaluation in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi found 1 in 8 deaths averted; a Phase 4 study found a 17% drop in all-cause mortality and 58% in severe malaria. Rollout reached 25 African countries, with 28.3 million doses given in 2025. WHO says the vaccines could prevent up to 500,000 child deaths by 2035 if scaled, but a near-30% funding gap threatens momentum.