Ivory Coast is mobilizing communities in northern regions to combat malaria through targeted vaccination campaigns and seasonal preventive treatments for young children.
In Boundiali, health officials have launched a vaccination drive focused on children aged 0 to 59 months, aiming to strengthen protection against malaria in an area where the disease remains a leading cause of illness among young children. The initiative, supported by the National Malaria Control Program, involves community engagement and outreach to ensure families understand the importance of timely immunization.
Similar efforts are underway in Tengréla, where seasonal malaria chemoprevention is being expanded to protect children during peak transmission periods. Health workers are distributing preventive antimalarial drugs to children under five, administered monthly during the rainy season when infection risk is highest.
These localized actions align with the government’s broader commitment to eliminate malaria by 2030, as reaffirmed by national health authorities. Officials emphasize that sustained investment in surveillance, vector control, and access to treatment is essential to achieving this goal.
Public health experts note that combining vaccination, seasonal prevention, and community mobilization offers a promising approach to reducing malaria’s burden, particularly in regions facing challenges with insecticide-resistant mosquitoes and limited healthcare access.
